Batteries Not Included:How to Supercharge Your

Child’s Motivation

by Ann Dolin, M.Ed.www.ectutoring.com

Worried about the future:

2005 UVA average incoming GPA 3.7

In 2013, UVA average incoming GPA 4.21

There is a trickle down effect to grades

We swoop in, pay for grades, punish

Relationships are defined by academics

What’s Fueling Our Anxiety?

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6.3 Million dollars

261 Schools in NYC, DC, Chicago, Dallas

Paid students for:

Report card grades

Reading books

Going to class

Completing HW

Standardized test scores

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What the Research Says

Rewards

Work for short-term, simple tasks

Do not work for complex, long-term tasks

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Why Carrots Sometimes Work

Use the “When, then” approach”

“When you have studied for 20 minutes, then you can take the car up to the store.”

“I’ll know your responsible when I see that you’ve completed your spelling. Then you can play outside.”

Consider a formal agreement

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Establishing Expectations: Daily

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Younger:

“When you’ve shown me your assignment notebook and completed HW, Mon-Thur, then you can go out with your friends”.

Older:

When you maintain a 3.0 GPA then you may have use of the family car.

Bar should be set low to ensure success

Put in writing

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Establishing Routines: Long-Term

Use the SOS technique

Schedule a time to meet

Open the dialogue

Set up accountability

Avoid taking away activities such as sports or clubs

Allow natural consequences to occur

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Consequences

Be realistic about expectations

Success is the motivating factor

No quick fixes

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Getting From Here to There

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Make the Environment Ripe for Learning

Routine for HW

Time to Start

Designated HW Time

Launching Pad

Clean Sweep

www.ectutoring.com/ebooks

Place

Location can vary, not in bedroom

No Tech Time

The myth of multi-tasking

Really task-switching

Music

Not good for retention

Television

Never a good idea

Computer

In a public place

Reduce open applications

Phones

FOMO

Tech break 11

Limiting Distractions

Praise effort every turn

Carol Dweck

Notice your child’s strengths

“I’ve noticed…”

Mention them often

Spend 15 minutes a day with the activity they like

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Communicating to Motivate

80% of feedback students with ADHD receive in school is negative

Opportunity to turn 80/20 around

To be a coach, not a critic

At home, boys shut down; girls fight with their moms

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Opportunity to Turn the Tables

“Do not sacrifice your parent/child relationship on the altar of academic performance.”

Russell Barkley, PhD

When in doubt, get outside help

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The Push & Pull of Academics

Contact Info

Ann Dolin

ann@ectutoring.com

www.ectutoring.com

703.934.8282

Thank you for attending!

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Contact Info