8 tips for motivating parents

1. Don't tackle too many things at once!

The child should choose only one goal or a few important goals they want to achieve. They should also consider what they will do to reach them.

2. Set realistic goals:

It isn't realistic to improve an English grade from a 5 to a 2 in only four months. Goals set too low, by contrast, lead to boredom. The key is finding the right balance between abilities and challenges.

3. Phrase them correctly:

Personal, concrete, without reservations, with a deadline and expressed as if the goal were already achieved, for example "I have a 2 in German at the end of the school year." Positive phrasing also helps: "I participated attentively in history lessons at the end of the school year" instead of "I don't disturb so often any more."

4. Picture the future:

The more detailed the image of a goal, the better the student can work to achieve it. For example, how great will it feel to manage to move up to the next year?

5. Celebrate small successes too:

Every small successful step that leads to the larger goal is at least worth strong praise, if not a little celebration. Parents should also acknowledge the small positive changes that may not yet have resulted in a better grade.

6. Praise motivates,

it makes the child proud and boosts self‑confidence. Praise should be sincere, immediate, specific, without reservation and phrased positively.

7. Enjoy study breaks:

If the child knows that after the next Latin test they will take a four‑day break from studying, they can look forward to it in advance and experience that time consciously as rest.

8. Surprise instead of reward:

Rather than promising a gift in advance for a good grade, it's better to surprise your child afterwards with a reward. The pleasure of such an unexpected recognition often motivates far more.

Image credits

Father praises his son while they work together at the table © ArtSys - stock.adobe.com

Mother and daughter are lying on the sofa © NDABCREATIVITY - stock.adobe.com