What's the best way to get your kids to get good grades?

1. 62

   PR Morganposted 14 years ago

   What's the best way to get your kids to get good grades?
   
   I have been trying for about two years to keep my three daughters on track with their grades.  But it seems like I am always battling to get them to even care!

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2. 60

   Angel709posted 14 years ago

   Make it fun and get involved.  I gave my 6 year old daughter her spelling words the other day, and I used sentences that said funny things about her older brother.  Well, her eyes lit up with excitement to hear, "QT eat's dirt!" (Dirt being her spelling word).  QT immediately grabbed the paper and started making up sentences about me, and afterwards, my daughter grabbed the paper 'to test me' simply so she could make poke-fun sentences. I didn't have to beg or even ask, and study time went like a breeze. 
   
   It also helps when I allow my son to teach me math.  I act inquisitive and tell him it was not my best subject in school.  When he "corrects me" it reinforces his own learning.  Kids (and adults) learn faster and are more motivated when they teach, feel in charge, and are empowered. I personally prefer not to motivate my children with money (though they have other family members that do). Education is priceless and should have value without what can appear to be bribery.

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3. 63

   Sinea Piesposted 14 years ago

   Try a reward system?  Punishment puts grades in a wrong light but fun rewards could help.
   
   If you are having trouble getting them to do their homework, have you tried making a  location in your house 'homework central' where they can be with mom or dad?  I'm thinking the kitchen.  While mom does the dishes (or you, dad?) or one of you does some paperwork of your own, they can be with you.  My son didn't get as much done when he was alone.  He liked my company.  Just a thought.

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4. 61

   cpvrposted 14 years ago

   Have fun with them - give them ideas on how to do it. You have to encourage them to succeed - they don't want to try.
   
   If you show them how its important, they'll do it.

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5. 38

   JeffreyBrownposted 14 years ago

   Make a deal with them if they receive good grades you will do something they will appreciate very much...........I read offering your kids money or other things is really a good lesson for them since when they grow up they will realize they do not get paid unless they earn it.

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6. 65

   CARIBQUEENposted 14 years ago

   You need to sit with them while they are doing their homework to ensure that the work gets done.

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7. 68

   Amezposted 14 years ago

   Well I have two daughter and 4 Sons. I do a one on One with them every so often, and I I first listen to where there coming from, with know searching on my part. Then I ask a few question on issues that I feel might be causing some emotional or physiological problems, that could be causing them to lose track of that which they needs to be focused on. Then I give some personel feed to things that might be closely related to this issues, that I had to work out when I was about that age.
   Then I ask her to remember if its get to heavy for you, I'm a;way here. Sometimes they open up right then, other times they seem to catch me aside abit later, or they just seemly work it oout without my support. Then if I have concerns and issues, I as if thier interested in lets make a deal, Say its on Studing and bringing up thier grades. I first search outwhy they feel thier having aproblem, then what can we do to resolve it together, a tutor, maybe going to a learning insitution, or the two of us looking at the course your struggling with. Then I tell them that if they put top priority on this situation, that I will put top prioity the next desire that might pop up, and I'll increase your alloance accordingly to your invested engery accomplishments, we agree and issue is back in thier lap. but basically just getting with them one on one does miracles, I hope I didn't make it to drawn out.

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8. 61

   Brown-eyed-girlposted 14 years ago

   I believe you are doing good with what you are doing because you care enough to keep doing it. I know it is hard to keep pushing your kids to do what they need, but kids do need to be pushed and reminded what they are working towards. I push my kids and of course either listen, ignore me or feel that I just nag them, but I don't care. I am doing what I am doing to help them. If I didn't I wouldn't care what they did, but I care what they do.
   Just remember to keep doing what you are doing, and maybe compromise on a few things if they do good. Rewards are always good.

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9. 78

   TPSicotteposted 14 years ago

   Model a love of learning. Have fun and make learning an enjoyable part of life. Remove too many unnecessary distractions.i.e. Put limits on tv and video games etc. Try to avoid using reward too much. It tells children that learning is a chore that requires bribes. The hidden message for kids is it must not be worth doing if I need some kind of payoff.
   
   Reinforce good habits. Be realistic about their work. Encourage them to seek feedback from teachers and help them learn that constructive criticism is a great way to grow as  a learner. Encourage their involvement in academic clubs at school or outside school (i.e. reading clubs in libraries). Get them involved in some type of sports or athletics. Exercise helps build healthy connections in the brain allowing them to think more effectively and efficiently.
   
   Diet is also important, so removing foods full of artificial dyes and processed junk can help. Healthy body, healthy brain. Alpha omega 3 fatty acids are also supposed to be linked with brain growth, so maybe add a supplement to their diet.
   
   Focus on the process of learning and your kids should be fine. Grades in and of themselves have no inherent value. In fact they are often the reason some kids get discouraged at school because they are a way of comparing kids to each other. Some kids get turned off by the comparison. Other children would rather not try and do poorly than work hard and still possibly not do well, so they don't try. It's a useful way for them to protect their egos. If they don't have good grades they just say I don't like school or I don't try at school. It's better than not feeling smart.
   
   However, having realistic but high standards for quality school work will always be appreciated by teachers and other evaluators and will help your kids throughout life. At the same time, focusing on their effort and the process can help. Some kids become good learners later in their school life. If their is encouragement to love learning rather than pressure to succeed they are more likely to do well. If it becomes a power struggle, then it is more about them asserting their autonomy than disliking school.

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10. 61

    duffsmomposted 14 years ago

    Show them how important learning is by doing some yourself.  Sit with them when they do their homework.  Get involved, take a class and do homework together.
    
    Ask them as soon as they are home what homework they have, have them get it done early and out of the way. 
    
    Teach them good study habits early and they will last a lifetime.  Unfortunately, offering kids money to get good grades can backfire if they decided they don't want the reward--essentially we are then giving them a choice to do the work or not.

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11. 69

    TheMusiconomyposted 12 years ago

    Motivation is one of the important qualities a student needs to improve their grades. I talk a little about this in my hub: Good Grades: How to Improve in School. Perhaps you could all read it together? http://themusiconomy.hubpages.com/hub/G … -In-School

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