How To Encourage Good Grades
There is an old adage that says you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. This metaphor is applicable to may things, including your child’s grades. You can attempt to force your child to get good grades, but that will eventually backfire when your child openly rebels or begins to suffer from intimidation tactics. Rather, you should encourage your child to strive for good grades and help her develop her own motivation to do well.
There are two ways to encourage any behavior. The first is a system of external rewards, or extrinsic motivation. These external rewards can be money, gifts or simple praise and enthusiasm. The other method is internal rewards on the part of the child. These are called intrinsic, and can only be brought about by the child herself. The best motivation for good grades combines a system of both.
Positive Reinforcement:
The most important thing to remember when encouraging good grades is that you are seeking to motivate – not intimidate. Threats and negativity might produce results, but they will cost you in the long run. At the very least you will be damaging a relationship, but can also drive a wedge between you and your child affecting respect levels and communication. To be sure that you are sending the right message, reward the behavior you are seeking and avoid punishing the behaviors you’re not.
Reward System:
Good grades should be rewarded. Even if you fully expect nothing less from your child, you should still celebrate each time she brings home a great report card. Some parents give their children money or gifts for good grades, which is a personal decision. Others, however, avoid doing this.
Rewards for bringing home good grades do not need to be large. In fact simple rewards may be more meaningful than sums of money. Lavish praise and obvious pride can go a long way toward making your child feel special. Even teenagers in the throes of rebellion still feel good knowing they’ve made their parents proud.
Communicate with your child to let them know how important their homework is and offer to check over it with them. Sit down and help your child study for tests. Quiz them. Education is important, not just the grades. Your actions and intentions will be very clear, so throw your entire being into supporting your child and her education.
Developing a Drive:
Over time, especially if you started young, your child will develop an internal drive to make good grades. Your praise and enthusiasm will rub off on her and she will begin to feel her own sense of pride for a job well done. Continue with your reward system to constantly bolster her own. Soon you will be working together toward a common goal.
Be Reasonable:
A final note on good grades is to set reasonable expectations. If your child struggles in a subject, her best effort might only produce a C. It is important to remember that working to do her best often means working harder than those to whom the subject comes easily. Her efforts should be doubly rewarded, and you should encourage her and work with her to repair any deficiencies she may have in the subject area.
(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
Posted in Education, High School
