Hello dear parents!
Summer vacation is over, and school has started… Is everyone ready? Maybe not. Maybe your child, at least, isn’t ready. After those long, sunny days, going back to textbooks isn’t easy, is it?
Maybe it’s happened to you… Your child’s initial excitement has given way to fatigue and reluctance. Waking up in the morning has become torture, homework an endless battle… Relax, you’re not alone!
Loss of motivation in children is a very common occurrence, especially after the summer vacation. So, how do we overcome this? Here are a few practical suggestions:
- Empathize: Try to understand how they feel. Instead of thinking, ‘School again?’, start by saying, ‘I know you’re sad that the vacation is over.’
- Set Goals: Set small, achievable goals instead of big ones. For example, ‘I’m just going to finish my math homework this week.’
- Re-establish Routine: Adjust the sleep schedule and meal times that you loosened up during the summer to the school schedule. Routine increases motivation.
- Don’t Forget the Fun: School isn’t just about lessons. Encourage social activities like meeting friends and joining school clubs.
Remember, every child is different. Some adapt quickly, while others need more time. Be patient, be supportive, and most importantly, make your child feel that you are there for them.
Gamify for Back-to-School Motivation!
Gamification is a great way to increase children’s motivation! You can turn studying and doing homework into a fun game. How?
- Scoring System: Give points for each assignment. When they reach a certain score, they get a reward (going to the cinema, eating their favorite food, etc.).
- Task Cards: Write the tasks to be done on task cards. Flip a card for each completed task.
- Storytelling: Turn lessons into stories. Turn history lessons into an adventure, math problems into a puzzle.
Actually, the truth is: Children love to learn. We just sometimes need to make the way they learn fun. Imagine, wouldn’t we all prefer to learn by having fun?
I hope these suggestions help. Remember, the most important things are love and patience. By making your child feel that you are there for them, you can easily get through this process.
Best regards!
