Suggestions on sites or reading materials to motivate a child?

aliasojo

Bit concerned about daughter's attitude to learning and school work. She has always been laid back about her efforts but now she has started secondary school she really needs to buck up a bit.

We talk a lot but it never results in practical change, so clearly I need to approach this from a new angle.

So, does anyone know of worthy sites or book that advise how best to go about motivating a child academically please?

Spendless

The only thing that has ever motivated my 11 yo was going into a set that was beneath his abilities. Boredom in classes, and the thought of being even more bored was enough for him to get his act together. I am extremely grateful that this happened in last year of Primary school, rather than Secondary.

bizzybee

I have had the same problem with my DD and it is compounded by the fact that her effort levels are non-existent but her grades are actually some of the best in her year.

I went in to the school to meet her head of year at the end of last term and he was great. He had the measure of my DD down to a tee and we have agreed to work together this coming school year in increasing her effort levels so she starts to reach her full potential.

It might be worth speaking to your DD's tutor or head of year and see if they can offer you some guidance after all in these days of league tables every school wants to get the best from their pupils.

aliasojo

bizzybee wrote: »

I have had the same problem with my DD and it is compounded by the fact that her effort levels are non-existent but her grades are actually some of the best in her year.

Unfortunately that is not the case with us, daughter has started secondary on the back foot so to speak. She appears miles behind those who came from primaries in this area. (We moved into this area from 200 miles away.)

I was surprised as she was always in the top group at her old primary.

This is even more reason why her attitude will count for a lot.

We have a parents night coming up so will chat about it then too.

Spendless

She might need to 'find her feet first' Moving came out of the blue for you, she perhaps needs chance to settle. I moved areas aged 11 and then to Secondary aged 12 and it took me my 1st year at Secondary to settle down. Meanwhile you could ask if she needs any help, make sure she's organised with her school friends etc. Good luck, mine starts on Monday (gulp!)

aliasojo

Spendless wrote: »

She might need to 'find her feet first' Moving came out of the blue for you, she perhaps needs chance to settle. I moved areas aged 11 and then to Secondary aged 12 and it took me my 1st year at Secondary to settle down. Meanwhile you could ask if she needs any help, make sure she's organised with her school friends etc. Good luck, mine starts on Monday (gulp!)

I agree about the settling aspect but the difference is in the work taught, not how good or bad she is at it, iyswim? She hasn't even seen the type of work the other kids know, they are miles ahead.

We're looking into getting a Maths tutor to try to bring her up to the level the rest of them are at, and she is happy about that idea as she's a bit shocked at how far behind she is. Her new Maths teacher realised almost immediately that there was a problem, which I'm glad about otherwise I'd be none the wiser. They are testing her at the moment to see where she'd got to.

I have no doubt she'll pick up but obviously she'll do better if she herself wants to and strives to make an effort. If she stays her usual 'that'll do' self, then I worry for her tbh. Hence my query about how best to motivate her.

Hope yours gets on ok.

Spendless

A tutor is a fab idea. I paid for one for DS around Easter-time concerned that his weakness in literacy would have a bad knock-on effect of his stronger subjects. 5 x 1hr lessons later and 4 would have done it was sorted. :j Cost me £15 an hour and was def worth it.

hitatotatus

Hi Spendless - can I ask what level your son was at in order for him to benefit from a tutor?
I am considering it for my son for maths, but thought it would be a more long term committment that 5 sessions, which would be quite a large burden for me financially. If I thought it was for only 4 or 5 sessions, I might be more able to consider it an option. My son is moving up to Year 9.
Apologies Aliasojo for hijacking your thread.