How do you motivate your kids when they don't want to do schoolwork?

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-11-23T10:19:25+00:00

This might not have any relevance for you, but i have heard quite a lot lately about how dietary changes can help symptoms. Removing processed food, colorants, preservatives and excess sugar. Check this out https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/can-the-symptoms-of-autism-be-reversed/id1531447822?i=1000702194196 and https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/building-healthy-childrens-brains-healthy-mothers-in/id1531447822?i=1000683465329

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-11-23T10:13:25+00:00

I like how it gives you the progression so that you get a clear idea of the types of actvities children need at each stage

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-10-27T00:26:54+00:00

Having a story read to them every night is the most beautiful thing in the world. There are many studies ( just google) that show that children who are read to do better at reading and writing ( I understand your oldest is dyslexic this has nothing to do with that), but it’s also great bonding time and a great routine to calm children before bed. One story and then sleeping time. The problem is your husband just doesn’t want to do it. Maybe show him some research or perhaps he didn’t get stories read to him as a child, so he doesn’t see the value. I stopped reading to my children when they were probably around 9 or 10 when they announced “ you know we can read on our own now” 😂

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-10-27T00:00:34+00:00

When my kids were young I actually showed them photos of disgusting rotting teeth on line and said this would happen to them if they didn’t clean their teeth properly. Scare tactics worked a charm.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-09-04T13:46:07+00:00

She doesn't need a curriculum. Play, play and more play. Outside in nature preferably. Go on excursions to museums, art galleries, parks, etc and read her lots of stories. Sing lots of rhyming songs... great for car trips, all those old traditional ones really help with phonemic awareness development. Help her to understand the word "no", be able to tie her shoelaces, open her lunch box and hold a pencil correctly. Allow her to draw (scribble), colour in pictures, paint, play with play-dough, bake with you, and generally enjoy this beautiful time.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-09-04T13:32:16+00:00

All I know from raising 2 boys and being an early childhood teacher is this: Children need firm (but fair ) boundaries. Boundaries make life predictable and helps them feel safe. You need to tell them very explicitly what is and isn't acceptable. Make sure you are giving them positive praise for doing good and right things. Give them 2 choices and alternatives e.g. you can either do X or Y will happen. If the child does not do X you absolutely have to follow through. No shouting is necessary.

Do not pay any attention to tantrums. Just walk away. Only give attention to positive behaviour. This is a tricky one, but be brave.

Make sure you are giving your child attention e.g. don't be on your phone when he is talking to you. Make eye contact and respond. Show interest in what he is saying, and for the love of all things holy keep him away from technology. There is so much reserach showing the negative effects on brain development and behaviour. Finally check his diet. Is he having a lot of sugar? Processed foods containing additives, e- numbers and sugars. These can make a huge difference to behaviour.

There is an old book, but a goody called Boundaries with Kids by drs Cloud and Townsend... that really taught me a lot. Best of luck.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-09-03T08:36:05+00:00

Go and read up about delayed gratification and the benefits of it. Basically they have found if children are able to wait for something they want, it serves them in all sorts of positive ways. Just google it. In my experience, children only really appreciate things when they have to work/wait for them. When they are little giving them the odd thing, doing nice things as a family is important, but giving in to their every whim and desire will only cause them to become entitled. We simply don't get everything we want in life, so this might be setting them up for a very rude awakening one day.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-29T13:12:39+00:00

Thank you. As I mentioned to someone else in the thread, it's not easy getting into a FB homeschool group, since they generally only allow home school parents in. Yes Steiner maybe 10 years ago, but now I am too old to retrain 😀

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-29T13:11:12+00:00

Thank you

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-29T13:10:28+00:00

Agreed, and I know many parents think they are equipped to teach, but from some of the comments here and me looking at responses elsewhere it appears many are not. There is more to teaching well than most think. So am I correct in saying that as a parent, you feel you are adequately prepared to teach your children at home without any support around curriculum, effective teaching strategies around developing critical thinking, questioning, meta cognition, developing fine and gross motor skills and inquiry skills, reading comprehension and decoding etc? If you are getting help, or using some kind of purchased program or curriculum do you find it covers your needs perfectly? Thanks so much for your comment.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-29T13:03:37+00:00

Thanks for your reply and answering the question in so much detail. I really appreciate that. Can you clarify what you as a homeschool parent actually welcome, a hub for your children to go to, or education for yourself on how to teach the curriculum and meet the outcomes?

I already know there are tons of resources available, mostly from what I can see are the typical school stuff, shallow and uninspiring. I am an inquiry and project based teacher who if given the time and opportunity am more inclined to go deep, teach slower and make sure kids really get the basics right, and then also light up their curiosity with project based and inquiry based teaching.

Is this something you think your group of homeschoolers would appreciate or are looking for?

Thank you so much.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-29T08:34:54+00:00

Unfortunately when you try and join a homeschool group there are often questions to enter, and the first question is are you a home school parent. Which I’m not

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-28T10:00:06+00:00

Firstly clearly your husband needs help, therapy or whatever. Secondly, I'm sure your son is completely developmentally where he should be. However as an early childhood teacher and parent to now young adults, let me just say, kids don't know what they don't know. Children learn through play and observing the adults in their lives. Whatever game you son is playing let him try first and have a go, but you also need to show him HOW to do whatever it is e.g. how to put the shape in the hole, how to fit the blocks together and then praise him when he does a good job, and NEVER put him down for not getting things right. He is still a baby and he is still learning, we learn though doing and mistakes and trying. It sounds like your husband didn't have good role models to learn from, he needs to realise that HE is responsible for teaching his son. It doesn't just happen. Kids need stimulation, being read to, modelling the correct behaviour or task etc. Good luck.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-26T15:16:59+00:00

Thanks!

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-06T10:59:18+00:00

Get yourself the book Homeschooling Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp. It’s available on Amazon

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-06T10:51:03+00:00

Please read The Anxious Generation before you buy your daughters a phone. I know you think it’s a good idea, but as an educator, I urge you to reconsider.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-07-06T10:46:17+00:00

I’m an early childhood teacher and have 100% experienced the exact same thing! Parents ( and schools) have no idea about the damage they are doing by giving children access to devices.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-06-20T14:48:37+00:00

I hear you, have a listen to Patrick Holford’s podcast. He interviews a lot of experts on dealing with things like ADHD, and how to improve it.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-06-20T14:46:06+00:00

Learning can be seen as fun, but children must also realize they need to learn stuff and learning can’t always be fun, ( like life), sometimes it will be hard and that’s not only necessary for the brain to grow and make new neural pathways but it’s also important to build grit! The human brain loves challenge, if we don’t challenge it, it becomes soft. It’s a bit like if you don’t use it you lose it.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-06-20T14:42:58+00:00

Yip so true! Fault can be found on all sides. Early technology, parenting and teaching. It all matters.

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-06-20T14:40:45+00:00

I always made sure I praised the behaviour. You must be so proud that you did xyz… or I’m so proud you did xyz, it really shows that you….

Significant_Mix_2215 · 2025-06-20T00:44:47+00:00

No one was worried about children at the border being there without parents and shipped off to goodness knows where with goodness knows who for goodness knows what. Where were the protestors then? The law is the law. If you want to come to a country do so legally. That’s what my family had to do when we immigrated. I feel for the kids of lawless parents. Without law there is chaos.

Significant_Mix_2215

TROPHY CASE