4 Ways to Motivate Kids: Dr. Brad's TV Interview and Tips

Click on the video player to the left to watch Dr. Brad's TV interview. Click on the "Cool Kids Parenting Tips" icon above to open a Word document of these tips in English and Spanish to send to parents or link to this web page in e-mails and school web sites.

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4 Ways to Motivate Kids, by Dr. Brad Schwall

1. Focus on Self-motivation

Help your children see how working hard benefits them. Working only to please others does not lead to consistent motivation. Having the opportunity for self-direction can motivate children to give effort.

2. Help Children Set Goals

Setting goals gives work a clear purpose and it is easier to celebrate the accomplishment if you know exactly what you were striving to achieve.

3. Encourage Success

Set your children up for success. Success breeds more success. Once children feel what it is like to achieve, they want to achieve more.

4. Affirm More Than You Critique

Focus on what your children are doing well. Emphasize their effort and the steps they took to achieve their goal more than the outcome. When children hear too much criticism, they may begin to believe that it is not worth it to try. When you affirm or give guidance, focus on specific behaviors and actions. Address what they can do to improve rather than what they did wrong. Help your children think of ways they can improve on their own.