Homeschool Online Blog

Reluctant Learners... get Motivated!
by Jamie

Got a reluctant learner? Everyone has or will at some point... even the most motivated will eventually experience a lack of motivation. The question is - What can we do to avoid this?

For the most part, children are natural learners. They imitate, model, repeat, and ask a million questions. They learn, naturally. Yet, when it comes to formal schooling the landscape can really change, whether it's a book they hate, a subject they struggle with, work they don't want to do... each child will run into the the brick wall of motivational despair. Sometimes it's due to an attitude issue, sometimes it stems from their abilities, and sometimes it can be a combination of both.

For the reluctant learner, the source of the problem typically lies at the doorstep of motivation. Our job as parents is to find what it is that is causing such a drain on their motivation. Discern that and you have your key. Focus on inspiring them to learn with these few methods.
1) Assess your methods - sometimes something we inadvertently do will hinder our children.
2) Assess your resources - is it the program/curriculum that's causing the kids to grumble? If so, switch.
3) Assess your environment - sometimes children are easily distracted and need more quiet! Others need clear boundaries and guidelines.
4) Assess your effectiveness - Do you need to bring in "back up?" Using an online course, a tutor, or a co-op course can often be just what the doctor ordered.
5) Assess their accountability - Do you have clearly set objectives and requirements for the course? Do you clearly set deadlines and accountability measures for them?
6) Assess your reward system - Do you give rewards for reaching goals, scoring well on tests, or to get their work done in a timely manner. Find your child's extrinsic motivator and use it!
7) Assess your child's learning style, and then teach to match it!
8) Assess your child's confidence level - Encourage a "can-do" attitude. Each child needs to know they can learn. Fostering confidence in a child will go a long way.