Psychological reward system: Motivate children to do homework!

Homework – a challenge for many children and parents. The trick lies in not only mastering the material, but also fostering a healthy attitude toward school and learning. In this blog post, we delve into the psychological aspects of how we can get children to complete their homework and how a reward system can work wonders.

September 4, 2023, is my son's first day of school. I don't know which of us is more nervous, haha. The school backpack, pencil case, gym bag... everything has been ready for weeks, and even the little things like a ruler, watercolors, and oil pastels have been purchased according to the school list. But how will homework work? As a mother, I'm already thinking about how and when we'll do it every day. But even more important is the question: How do I get my child to sit down every day after 4-5 concentration-intensive school hours in the morning and get them excited about reading, writing, and math?

Fundamentally, children are naturally curious and eager to learn. We simply need to maintain their motivation and foster a positive attitude toward school and learning. This can be achieved by:

The psychology of motivation:

1. Set clear expectations: Children need clear guidelines. Set clear expectations regarding homework and insist that it be done, but also allow room for their own responsibility.

2. Voluntary commitment: Give children a sense of control. Ask them to choose a specific time for homework. This fosters a sense of autonomy.

3. Goals and achievements: Break your homework down into smaller goals. Completing a goal will lead to a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to tackle the next tasks.

Boosting intrinsic motivation with little tricks like these is great, but I'm also a big fan of small extrinsic rewards after successfully completing a task. A reward system like this can work wonders, AS LONG AS IT'S NOT BASED ON MATERIAL THINGS! It doesn't always have to be toys, and certainly not candy! We don't want to teach our children that snacking or eating is a reward!

Why not reward our children with what they desire most?! QUALITY TIME! Children often crave attention and time with their parents. However, it should be a time of undivided attention... a time without distractions, without various other activities like cooking, cleaning, and emptying the dishwasher, and also without all technology... put away the phone! Just you and your child! This enhances the quality of the moment and ensures that your child feels heard and seen. And that's exactly what your child desires most!!!

Practical implementation:

1. Communication: Discuss the reward system openly with your children. Let them make suggestions and share their opinions. It could be doing crafts, playing games, cooking, or simply going for a walk together. This also strengthens the bond!

2. Structure: Create a pleasant work environment. A tidy and quiet space promotes concentration and motivation.

3. Joint planning: Sit down together and create a homework plan. This provides structure and helps avoid overwhelm.

4. Patience and flexibility: Not every day will be the same. Be patient and pay attention to your children's needs.

Take time for your children, let them begin the adventure of learning together and reward them with what they desire most after they have successfully completed their task!

Lots of motivation and success in the implementation, your Martina from LIONHERZ