Kids Struggling to Get Motivated to Learn?

One thing I hear over and over again is how much kids are struggling to learn and stay engaged in learning during the pandemic. Kids have been trying to stay engaged for almost two school years and the lack of motivation has affected their grades and social emotional well-being a great deal.

Think back to when you were a kid. What things did you do outside of school?  Were you more excited about sitting in class, or being with your friends? What motivated you to stay engaged in getting your class work and homework done? For me it was always about seeing my friends. I was an ordinary student with average grades, but I LOVED theatre class, gymnastics, track and even tried swimming - and though swimming was short-lived, I got the opportunity to try it out with my friends and that was the best part. I loved talking with my friends about books we loved such as the Sweet Valley High series and the shenanigans of the Nancy Drew Mysteries. 

What can we learn from this? When I was a kid it wasn’t my classes that kept me engaged in school, it was my friends and the extra-curricular activities I was involved in. It was like having all my vegetables at dinner just so I could hurry up and get to the dessert.  Sure I had my favorite teachers, but my academic classes were just something I endured until I could get to the social activities with people I cared about.  I believe this same concept can be applied to elementary school kids who have lost time with friends and extra-curricular activities due to the pandemic.

There are several organizations that are still running programs for kids either online or in-person. Try teaming up with family members or friends to create a safe activities pod together.  A quick Google search turned up some cool options for getting kids active with friends again. I found the following open for business: The YMCA is open and has recreational programs such as swim and basketball among many others. Mark Morris Dance Center, Gotham Gymnastics, Super Soccer Stars, and Chelsea Piers Youth Sports. Lincoln Center has a wonderful and free program for students with disabilities called Passport to the Arts that gives students with disabilities access to theatre arts. These programs are in New York City, but wherever you live - try a quick Google search and round up some of your kids’ friends and get a good, safe, recreational pod going. This can be the thing to get your child back on track with being motivated for school and creating a domino effect in other areas of their lives as well, such as building confidence, a happier mood, and simply being excited for seeing their friends and doing things again. 

I hope these tips have been helpful.  Check out my site: www.elementaryreadingandwriting.com for a free literacy lesson and more elementary school tips. With lots of love for your little one’s learning, Lexx