For example, say, “When you’ve finished your homework, you can play your video game. ” You could have them put their phone in a basket and only allow them to access it once they’ve finished an assignment. Some kids do better when they listen to music, so you might find it helpful to make an electronics exception for tunes that motivate your child.
Try not to come off like you don’t trust them. Say something like, “I’m not trying to hover or make it seem like I don’t have faith in you. I just want to play on your team and help you do your best. ” If you find they’re dishonest about what they’ve been assigned, ask their teacher to initial their assignment book. [3] X Research source
If you’re a teacher, try to break up big projects by including step-by-step instructions and shorter time frames. [5] X Research source Instead of just assigning a long paper, try assigning different deadlines for an outline, first draft, and final draft.
For example, you could say, “I noticed you’ve been working really hard, and you’ve sat down to do your homework as soon as you get home every day this week. How about I take you out for ice cream?” You could also figure out age-appropriate rewards, like getting them a toy or giving them money to see a movie with their friends.
Contact your child’s teacher to find out when they offer tutoring. If it’s in your budget, you could look into hiring a private tutor. If you can’t afford a tutor, ask an older sibling, family member, or trusted friend who is strong in that subject to help your child.
Every child is unique, so parents, teachers, and school counselors or psychologist should work together to resolve specific situations through testing, medication, or counseling. Have a direct conversation with your child. Ask them if they have anything on their mind, are dealing with issues with another student, or are facing any other emotional struggles. Try to reassure them and let them know it’s safe to talk to you without fear of judgment. As they talk, observe their non-verbal communication in addition to listening to what they have to say. If you’ve observed long-term symptoms like difficulty focusing, poor reading comprehension, or trouble following directions, talk to your child’s doctor. Ask them to refer you to a psychologist who can diagnose a potential learning disability.
For example, don’t just say, “Clean your room. " Instead, assign tasks like picking up dirty clothes, changing the sheets, putting away toys or other clutter, and vacuuming. If necessary, show them how to do new tasks.
For example, try saying, “You have until 7 to unload the dishwasher,” instead of, “Unload the dishwasher right now. ”
For instance, say, “If you don’t take the garbage out by 4, you won’t be able to play your video game tonight. ”
For example, one child might not mind mopping. They hate folding clothes, but another child actually likes folding laundry. Try making a reward-based challenge. If you have more than one child, allow the one who does their chores the best to pick the movie you watch as a family. However, be careful not to compare the two children. Make your determination based on how well the child tried and how much effort they put into the chores.
For example, after dinner, a younger child could load the dishwasher, an older child could wipe up the counters, and a parent could clear the table and put away leftovers.
Try to experiment with activities like swimming, hiking, rollerblading, bike riding, and skateboarding. Even kite-flying can be a great way to get moving, so cast a wide net. Involve your child in the process, and ask them about activities they want to try.
Avoid keeping a computer, television, tablet, and other devices in your child’s room, especially if they’re a preteen or younger. You could try to use screen time as an incentive. However, don’t say something like, “If you run laps around the block for an hour you can use your phone. ” Instead of coming off like a drill sergeant when offering incentives, say, “How about we go for a walk around the neighborhood? I’ll let you play your video game when we get back!”
