Motivation for the year ahead

As much fun as the festive period was, life and our routines will have now returned to a comforting normalcy - even as we try to keep our New Year's resolutions!

January is an important month for children as they are adjusting to being back at school, with the excitement of the last few weeks is still fresh in their minds. They'll need support to focus on the months ahead and remain motivated - here are a few tips to help keep their focus in the right direction:

Helping children take ownership of their learning: It’s not enough to tell children they need to do well at school – they’ve heard that before. What really helps is understanding why it matters. Sharing real-life examples of how success in a subject can open doors helps children see where their learning could take them, and what life might look like with those opportunities.

Encourage a positive attitude to learning: Your child knows you want the best for them and want them to do well, but it’s important they also feel safe to talk about any difficulties they’re experiencing. Motivation driven by pressure, punishment or visible frustration can be damaging, and what looks like a lack of motivation is often a sign of something else.

If a child is struggling to keep up, doesn’t understand their teacher, or is facing other challenges, they need to know they can speak openly without fear of an emotional reaction. When children feel supported and understood, they’re more likely to keep trying – and to ask for help when they need it.

Let them reap the rewards: rather than taking away TV time or computer games when they don't do their homework or get a disappointing result in a test, try rewarding them for good behaviour. For the younger children this might be a sticker on the fridge or extra time at the park at the weekend, and for older children more simply "Yes you can go to Sarah's house, once you've finished your Kumon maths homework," or "Why don't we watch that film you've wanted to see, once you've worked on your history project for an hour." Find out what works best as a motivator and build your rewards around that.

Build study time into their daily routine: at Kumon we ask our students to study their worksheets for around 30 minutes every day as, aside from helping our students learn more efficiently, we know creating this routine makes learning a natural and expected part of their day. Create a time every day where your child is expected to sit down and do some work. It could be further reading if they don't have any homework, or revising what they've learned that day. Once this is ingrained in their day, it will seem far less of a chore.

Create a homework spot: Establishing an environment conducive to study is as important as establishing a routine. Create a space which is quiet, with a desk they can sit at comfortably, perhaps away from siblings. Somewhere with good lighting, which is free of distractions.

Listen to his/her unspoken cues: sometimes a lack of motivation comes from anxiety. If something seems impossible or insurmountable to them, they may simply try to avoid it. In these instances, it is important to be kind and understanding, recognise their genuine anxiety, but be firm that they cannot shy away from the issue. Work with them on an action plan to get them back on track.

As with anything in life, success lies in finding a balance. Academic practice is important, but so is spending time with friends, playing sport, and nurturing a hobby. Let's make this a year of success in all these areas!