Want to kindle the flame of school success in your child? It’s hard for kids to be motivated to achieve in school if they don’t feel good about themselves. Concentrate on building confidence in your child by doing the following:
- Acknowledge your child’s successes. Display artwork, or report cards in a prominent place in your home.
- Let your praise be genuine. Kids know when you are lying, but even if they are having difficulties, you can still be positive. (Try phrases like: “You worked really hard. Let’s try it again.”)
- Don’t compare your child to other siblings who are more successful in school. That will only alienate your child and discourage them further.
- Respect your child’s frustration with their performance. If your child is struggling with schoolwork, don’t say, “Oh, that should be easy. “Instead say, “Mmm, this homework assignment is kind of tough,” and praise him for his persistence.
- Don’t do your child’s work for him. Doing his/her work for him sends the message that you don’t think he is capable of doing it himself. Instead encourage him to be self-reliant. Remember, you are trying to increase confidence, not undermine it.
