Finding the intrinsic motivation to do work without the camaraderie of peers, the encouragement of a teacher nearby, and the academic tone of the classroom environment is one of the most challenging obstacles that students face in this period of remote learning. While getting them to finally finish their math assignment or write their paper might feel like pulling teeth, there are some tools parents can use to encourage children to feel less overwhelmed and frustrated, and more motivated and in control. Beyond the existential discussions of why learning a particular subject or honing a particular skill will be important to them, there are small strategies you can teach students to make their work feel more manageable. The amount of time and energy you will need to invest in teaching your child(ren) these strategies will depend on their age and how lacking they are in their motivation, but it will be well-worth the investment when you no longer need to nag them to do their work (or at least you will be able to do so less often)!
Make work bite-sized
Looking at a month-long assignment and not having the tools (or in-person teacher support) to know how to split that project up into more manageable chunks would make anyone want to throw in the towel. Not only is long-term planning for assignments helpful in making sure work gets done, it is a crucial skill to build in order for students to be successful beyond the classroom as well. Help your child break down their assignments into smaller, more manageable chunks so that when they sit down to work on a particular piece of the assignment, they will have taken a tangible step forward towards completion.
Choices, Choices, Choices
One of the most effective teaching strategies to increase engagement in the classroom is to give students choices. So why shouldn’t they have options at home? Teach your child how to give themselves choices, even when their teacher hasn’t. Help them think of aspects of their school work that they can control, like environmental factors, where and when they complete it, or whether they are listening to music or having a snack (as long as those things are not distracting to them). Show them that they do have some control over how and what they learn! And if they have an idea for showing their learning in a way that the teacher did not assign, it can’t hurt to ask! Many teachers appreciate when students take the initiative to be innovative. The worst thing that’ll happen is they’ll say no.
Give them something to look forward to!
Whether it’s a TV show, an hour of video games, or some quality time with Mom or Dad, everyone is more productive when they have something to look forward to after their work is finished. Let kids choose one longer reward activity once all their work is done for the day, and let them take shorter 5-10 minute breaks (depending on age and work stamina) in between assignments or as needed. The Pomodoro Method, which suggests taking a 5-minute break for every 25 minutes of work, can be an effective time management tool as well.
Walk Away
While perseverance is an admirable trait, many students get stuck in a “frustration cycle” in which the work they are trying to do is too hard, so they get frustrated. And the more frustrated they become, the harder it gets. Productivity rarely comes out of these moments. Teach your child that it is OK to walk away from something for now and come back later. Sometimes just a change in perspective the next time they sit down to work can help them approach the obstacle in a more positive and productive way.
Provide them with a “work space”
Give your child somewhere they can go that is a dedicated space for their school work. Not all students have (or even need) a desk, so anywhere will do. A spot on the floor of their room, a chair at the kitchen table, just don’t let that work zone be the bed or a comfy couch! This spot should be solely for working so that when they are there, their brain is in work mode, and when they aren’t, their brain is in leisure mode.
Celebrate successes
Finally, try to acknowledge every small success your child has with their schoolwork, even if it’s just that they sat and worked for half an hour. If they get something wrong, or their work needs improving, don’t immediately point it out. Find something they did right and celebrate that success first. Of course our inclination as parents is to dispel misunderstanding and help our children “get it right”, but confidence is more important, especially if a child struggles with motivation! By pointing out what they did right, you’ll boost their confidence. Eventually they’ll take more pride in their work, become less self-critical, and maybe even start to enjoy the process of learning.