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TODAY’S CHILD

BACK TO SCHOOL:

HOW TO MOTIVATE YOUR KIDS

By Nicoleen Davies, Life Talk Forum

ome children love it, others dread Don’t focus on results as it can undo Being afraid of the dark, of thunder or of
it: January means it’s time to go everything you are trying to achieve. Help monsters under the bed, of being alone,
Sback to school. It often elicits mixed your child set reasonable goals so that of heights or anything else is all totally
feelings oscillating between excitement and they have a plan to work towards. You normal. A parent’s instinct is to calm and
uncertainty. can help them plan a learning schedule soothe the child, to make them feel safe.
or create a learning space or desk area But it is important to teach the child from
Children can lack the motivation to go back they’d like to use. a young age to face their fears without
to school for a variety of reasons. They may your involvement. You can’t always be
be going to a new school; they may have Help them face their fears there when a fear strikes.
anxiety; learning may be hard for them; Fears, both rational and irrational, are a
there may be bullies they have to face normal part of being a child. We all face Helping your child to manage their
again; they may suffer from attention-deficit fears in life; this is not unique to being a fears will build their confidence and
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) so every day is child. independence. It’s parenting time well
an effort; they could have social challenges;
or maybe holidays are just the best!

No matter the cause of their lack of
motivation, children have to face the fact
that they have to do something they may not
want and they have to make an effort to get
to school and stick with the programme.

Positive reinforcement as a motivation
tool
In the weeks leading up to your child going
back to school or starting a new school,
give them positive reinforcement. You can
express your excitement about them seeing
their friends again or about new friends
they will be making. If the child loves sport
or cultural activities, bring these into your
conversations. Discuss subject choices and
interests if they are older.

Be positive about your child having the
opportunity to learn new things and the
growth that comes from that. Praise your
child for the effort they applied in the past
and remind them of how proud it made you
of them.

22 | INTRAMUROS JANUARY 2024