Understand what motivates each of your children and whether those motivators are formed within themselves or developed through external circumstances.
My oldest son entered kindergarten unable to recite his ABCs, though I started working with him before he could walk. I did a lot less for my second son academically, but he was fully prepared for school. What works for one child doesn’t always work for another. And the more motivated a child is, the easier he’ll be able to learn.
When my youngest son started reading, he was driven by his desire to be like his older brothers. Some kids have intrinsic motivation (from within themselves), but this son had mostly extrinsic motivation (from external factors).
Of course, no form of motivation is inherently superior to another. Instead, each is a means toward academic success for individual children. So study your children to determine which areas best motivate them.
Some children desire to be viewed as competent and successful in academics and other activities. If this motivates your child, here’s what you can do:
Some children are motivated by their natural attraction to a specific topic. If this motivates your child, here’s what you can do:
Some children are motivated when they feel acceptance, encouragement or pressure from others. If this is how your child is motivated, here’s what you can do:
Some children understand that the outcome of learning is valuable. If this motivates your child, here’s
what you can do:
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Sheila Seifert is the editorial director of Focus on the Family magazine, the author of over 20 books and the founder of Simple Literature.
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