How do you motivate your child to learn outside the classroom?

February 18, 2019

Primary school is the perfect time to get children to do extra work outside the classroom. Even if you think they are not motivated to do this, with a bit of support and some creative ways of learning they will enjoy the additional work. For 20 years we have been producing English, maths, verbal and

Primary school is the perfect time to get children to do extra work outside the classroom. Even if you think they are not motivated to do this, with a bit of support and some creative ways of learning they will enjoy the additional work.

For 20 years we have been producing English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning books for Key Stage 2 children who are preparing for 11+ and SATs exams. As well as preparing for exams, our books are ideal to support children who need additional help outside the classroom to reach their full potential. We understand the frustrations primary school children can face and what motivates them to strive to achieve their own personal success.

If you want to support your child’s education outside the classroom, here are some helpful tips to keep them motivated and enjoy what they are learning.

Routine
We all know that children thrive when they have a set routine each day; it keeps them focused and prepared for the next part of the day. This is the same when it comes to sitting down with your child to do homework, additional work or revision. However, one routine does not fit all; pick one that works for your child.

If your child is usually tired at the end of the school day, give them the space to have a snack and play before you settle down to do work. If they are full of beans when they get home, strike while the iron is hot! Sit them down with a snack and start working with them.

You know your child best, so pick a routine that suits them.

Workspace
Designate a specific workspace in the home. This will help to provide focus for your child and allow them to showcase their work. This is their space; give your child the opportunity to organise the space themselves. If they can leave their work open for all to see, this will encourage passing family members to look at it and praise them.

 

Rewards
Children respond well to praise and recognition and it is important to set goals for them to work towards. Achievement of goals can be rewarded with all sorts of things: having a favourite dinner, staying up slightly later, going to a favourite place. We believe that bite-size rewards for primary school-aged children are more beneficial and motivational than one big reward at the end.

Communication
If you are giving your child extra support, it could mean that their confidence has been knocked in certain subjects. Open communication and reassurance are important, not just to build knowledge in a subject, but also to build confidence in their own ability.

Children can easily get frustrated when they cannot do something, and parents can get frustrated when a child starts

to give up. However, be strong! Reassure them of how well they are doing and emphasise what they can do, rather what they cannot. This will give them the motivation they need to keep trying.

Our ‘how-to’ workbooks enable parents to support their children in their education with the knowledge that they are learning the right content, in the right way. Our books are excellent resources for parents, making it simple for them to plan extracurricular work and supplying easy processes to follow for their children to succeed.
You can read what parents think of our books here: https://aepublications.co.uk/about-us/testimonials/