How do you motivate your child to work to his potential?

Answer 1

I know its been said but first of all be encouraging.

Make it something fun not work. No child (and most adults) want to do work.

Help him set goals. Small short term goals that lead up to bigger goals. Have them feel like they are working up to something important to them. Often graduation or college just isn't enough. Find out his true dreams and goals and set up ways to get there!

Answer 2

I live by the adage "If nothing is ever asked of a student that they cannot do, the student will never do all that they can."

Don't be afraid to challenge a child, it won't damage their little egos as long as they know that failure is expected when trying new things. Heck, encourage them to try things they KNOW they can't accomplish - when they fail as expected, sit down and talk about why they failed. Did they not have enough information? Not tall enough/strong enough yet? Did they not prepare enough? Make a list and convert it into goals. (ie - not enough information? Spend x number of hours researching. Not strong enough? Set up a weight lifting routine.) When the goals are reached, have them try again. Repeat the whole dang thing until they finally get it.

Accomplishing something monumental JUST ONCE can motivate someone for a lifetime.

Answer 3

Provide many differnet opportunities to learn and keep the TV-watching to 1 hour a day (that includes video games). Buy educational software only and READ READ READ to the kids.

Take them to the aquarium rather than Great Adventure (mostly, anyway). Even the beach or a lake would be more educational than an amusement park.

Also, and most importantly, provide a good example. The kids must see you reading and creating instead of vegging out in front of the TV or ignoring the family while you answer these endless questions.

Answer 4

In general, there is no magical recipe for motivation, a method that works with a child may not work with another. First you have to bear in mind that motivation is both intrinsic and extrinsic. The parent may have some control over the factors that are extrinsic to his child. Motivating your child for school is a long term process that you have to begin since your child's early months. Personally, I have a daughter who is doing well at school, I have been surrounding her with story books since her babyhood, and books form an integral part of her life. My stories raised her questions and developed her intelligence, I have all the time prompted her to set great goals for her life and told her that working hard in her youth will enable her to get a nice job of which she will be proud. Everyday after school, I ask her to tell me about her day. Anyway my method with her is producing good results up to now, but I have to admit that it's not an easy task, it's very demanding to accompany your child in his/her school life.

Answer 5

I believe that you can motivate your child to work to his potential by encouraging and applauding them for the great things they do. This will make the child see that someone actually does care and does want to be involved in their life. And it will also let the child know that there are great rewards when you try your best and do something good.

Answer 6

I have found that the best way to motivate my child is to become involved in whatever he was doing. When he was learning to read, I listened. When he was playing sports, I watched. The best way to motivate a child is to let them know that they are important and that what they are doing is important to you. My son loves sports, but was very small for his age. The attention that he received while playing and practicing made him strive to do his best and although he was small he found ways to compensate. We also concentrate on the effort and not necessarily the outcome. One can try very hard and still not come out on top, but when you focus more on the child's involvement and effort you all feel like winners.

Answer 7

I am a teacher. I would give my child a very expressive description of how it would make me feel seeing him/her reach there full potential. You should tell him how smart he/she is and that he/she can do anything they put their mind to. You should explain how as a parent it’s very rewarding to have a child that is successful. Then vividly explain to him how it would make you feel to see him not succeed. I say this because my mother did this to me and it made me want to please her. Some people have a desire to please their parents. But honestly other then that if he does not have the drive to do it. You have to show in tough love. If he is young there is still hope. But my best friend was really spoiled. She was going to college and doing well but she was immature and throwing parties in her parents house. Her mother kicked her out and she had to stay with friends. Today she feels that that was the best thing her mother could have ever done for her. She has grown up so much and is doing well. It hurt her mother to do her child like that but she was forced to grow up and take care of business.

Answer 8

Always give the child praise for all that is done right and don't put alot of influence on the negative things only mention them and go on. Usually 5 praises for each negative or corrective critisim is a good idea. Also incourage the child in areas of interest.

Answer 9

Be supportive and use positive reinforcement as possible instead of criticism. Use common courtesy when talking with your child; listen without interrupting to the child's concerns and respond calmly and rationally. Acknowledge the validity of your child's feelings about a situation, and discuss whether there may be more appropriate ways to deal with it. Try to allow the child to find her own interests and abilities and not try to force your interests, etc, on her. Look at yourself honestly and try to make your behavior a good example for your child to emulate.

Answer 10

You should encourage the child to do "their" best, instead of encouraging them to be "the" best. Allowing your child to choose activities that interest them will increase motivation. If it's boring, would you be interested in it? Children will always take things farther when they are interested in the topic. Build on what they say and do to give them more opportunities. Don't pressure them, but give them options that they may not have thought of before.