Don't worry, every child has talents and abilities that go beyond protests and arguments. We just have to find them among all the "I don't want to, I can't, that's stupid and I won't do that."
“Help, homework” – How to motivate elementary school children!
Why this daily discussion? Of course, we know better today - homework in the 1st or 2nd grade can be done in 20 minutes at most. If it's more of a game, and with a bit of concentration and three sharpened colored pencils, the average student can manage it in a few minutes. But not my first-grader, who hasn't yet grasped the seriousness of life.
That's probably exactly where the problem lies - how are the little ones supposed to even suspect that everything "much worse" is in store for them? How are they supposed to understand that going to bed is something really great and that boredom isn't as bad as they thought. So let's forgive them when the topic of homework comes up again. They simply don't know any better.
Of course, there are a thousand other reasons why children particularly enjoy discussing this issue. But if we think about it more closely: why shouldn't they? Why shouldn't they be allowed to question things?
I think that many children not only do not realise the "seriousness of the situation" but also simply do not see any benefit behind all the letters and numbers. So let's be happy that our child is starting to question the things that the system is trying to sell them.
It still has to be done!
Yes, because we know better. But instead of discussing it every day, we have to find ways that make sense for the child. And I'm not talking about bribery. OK, sometimes that works, but in the long run, stuffing the child full of sweets just because he or she has correctly colored the orange with the monkey on it doesn't seem to make much sense - in the long term, I mean. So what can we do to properly motivate our child?
Motivation tips for homework
First of all: every child has their own motivation. And when it comes to homework, that motivation still has to be found. Exactly - find your child's motivation! Or: find out what type of learner or concentration type the child is. Once you have found out these things, the problem of "homework is stupid" could soon be solved.
Motivation Environment
The learning environment makes a difference, including in terms of motivation. A messy workspace that is perhaps noisy and lacks natural light is less inviting. Create a learning space with your child that meets their typical requirements. Many children are able to enjoy doing their homework and complete it quickly just by doing it.
Motivation – The Time
There are children, and adults too, who can work more effectively and better under time pressure. Of course, this doesn't mean that we should create an additional stress factor called time, and this method isn't suitable for every child. If you still want to try it: certain tasks should be able to be completed in a certain amount of time (10 short math problems in 3 minutes). Put an alarm clock on the workstation and ask the child if they want to try to complete the tasks before the alarm goes off. Or: "How many tasks can you complete in just 3 minutes?" There are many children who are happy to take on the challenge. Make a kind of game out of homework!
Motivation – cards and stickers
Rewards don't just have to consist of sweets. There are some children who can be motivated in other ways. For example, with diligence stickers or small cards to collect. Any reward system is possible here. If the child has collected a certain number of points, they can choose something the next time they go shopping, decide on the next day of the excursion or stay up an hour longer. Unfortunately, the "I work longer towards a goal" approach doesn't necessarily work for every child.
The child determines the sequence
Sometimes children just want to decide for themselves when to do something. So how about trying to simply tell your child what they have to do today? And then let them decide for themselves when to do what? So just write a list of the things that still need to be done today:
- 17:00 pm Riding lesson
- 13: 00 clock lunch
- do homework
- Cleaning the rabbit hutch
- Empty the dishwasher
- 20:00 pm bed
Then just ask the child how they want to plan their day. It sounds a bit strange, but children are definitely capable of taking on this kind of responsibility. They also learn to structure their day and fulfil their duties independently. And they notice how long it takes to do a certain thing. You will be amazed, because children also tend to do the less pleasant things first. And they do this without any orders from above.
And never forget – praise, praise, praise
Nothing rewards a child more than words of praise from their parents. Look over your child's shoulder now and then and praise them for their beautiful handwriting, for solving a difficult task or for their speed. It doesn't matter - children want to please their parents, they want to do things right and want to make their parents proud. And now it's our turn to tell our children exactly that: "I'm proud of you!" And we are too, because we probably weren't any better.
Immerse yourself in the colorful world of coloring pages that have been specially developed for children of all ages. Our collection offers a variety of motifs that will delight both girls and boys. From animals to vehicles to imaginative scenes, there is everything to stimulate your child's imagination. The simple download process ensures that you have access to new templates at any time. These coloring pages are not only a creative activity, but also a valuable tool for promoting fine motor skills and concentration. Let your children's creativity run wild and watch them grow and learn with every stroke. are always trying