7 Creative Ways to Motivate Your Homeschool Child

With so much one-on-one time, your child will never get bored with homeschooling!

… Right? Of course not!

That’s not realistic. It’s natural for a child’s interest to ebb and flow throughout the day, or even a lesson, but it can be difficult as their parent to know how to motivate homeschoolers young.

What to Know About Motivation

First things first: Just like with any other individual, it’s normal and even common for children to lack motivation from time to time.

Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity to tailor education to your child's individual needs and interests. But just like with any other type of schooling, keeping them motivated and engaged throughout the day can sometimes be a challenge.

So, what’s the difference between motivation and focus? While they’re related, they’re not the same thing. Motivation is the driving force that initiates and sustains action. It's the reason why your child want to do something. It's the desire, enthusiasm, and energy that spurs them on towards a goal.

On the other hand, focus is your child’s ability to concentrate their attention on a specific task or activity. Focus is more about how mental energy is directed to tune out distractions.

A lack of motivation might look different in different children, even varying in frequency and intensity and being affected by factors like seasonality. If you notice your child dealing with these signs, addressing the underlying causes and providing appropriate support is essential.

• Procrastination and consistently delaying tasks, even simple ones
• Lack of interest and showing little enthusiasm for activities
• Difficulty starting tasks or struggling to initiate schoolwork and projects
• Poor time management and failing to prioritize tasks or manage their time effectively
• Disorganization, including having trouble keeping track of school items or assignments
• Frequent distractions, including being easily sidetracked
• Negative self-talk, criticizing their work, or expressing doubts about their abilities
• Avoidance behaviors by trying to escape or totally avoid challenging educational situations
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing for age-appropriate periods
• Having low energy levels

Of course, if you have any concerns about your child’s lack of motivation, talk to their pediatrician. If you suspect underlying issues like anxiety, depression, or learning disabilities, speak with a child psychologist or counselor.

Is your child struggling with motivation? Luckily, we’ve got tips to motivate your homeschooling child when the going gets tough.

Tip 1: Understand Intrinsic Motivation

Children often thrive when they are intrinsically motivated. Intrinsic motivation is the internal drive to do an activity for its own sake, without rewards or pressures. It's about finding enjoyment and satisfaction in the process of learning or doing something, rather than focusing on the outcome or rewards. When a child is intrinsically motivated, they are more likely to feel a sense of autonomy, competence, and community. This internal drive can lead to increased creativity, persistence, and overall well-being.

Observe what sparks that intrinsic motivation for your child. A good example is a child choosing books from the library unprompted about ancient Egypt because they want to be an archeologist, or spending hours building with Lego because they love problem-solving and being creative. Once you’ve identified the topics and themes your child gravitates towards on their own, then you can support their intrinsic interests and encourage them to keep learning and exploring.

Tip 2: Set and Track Achievable Short-Term Goals

We all respond best to positive reinforcement, and children are no exception. Your excitement about learning is contagious and when you share your passion and your child will benefit. With positive reinforcement, your child’s motivation will grow.

But first, you need to have a goal. Determine what your child is struggling with. Based on your child’s curriculum, set an achievable short-term goal that is appropriate for their age and stage of development and would help them address the roadblock to motivation.

Make sure that this goal is achievable and short-term. This is key. This helps prevent overwhelm and will boost your child’s confidence. For example, if your child lacks motivation to read, set a reading goal of a certain number or pages or minutes read per day.

Help your child determine how they will track their progress. They may choose to keep a journal or progress chart. Allow them to take ownership of updating their chart so that they can see the state of their progress for themselves.

Tip 3: Be Enthusiastic

Once a goal is set, stay positive and encourage your child each step of the way. Remember, progress is not linear and a new routine may take some time to get used to. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in boosting motivation.

• Focus on effort and progress by praising your child for their hard work and dedication, rather than just their overall achievements.
• Offer specific and sincere praise to let your child know exactly what you appreciate about their work.
• Celebrate milestones by rewarding their efforts, no matter how small. 
• Avoid excessive rewards since overreliance on external rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation.

Tip 4: Create a Stimulating Learning Environment

Does your child have a space to learn? A designated study area can help a child feel motivated by signaling to the brain that it's time to focus. This consistency can make studying feel less like a chore and more like a regular part of the day.

The space should be free from distractions like TVs or noisy toys so your child can concentrate on the tasks at hand. It should be well-organized, comfortable, and have good lighting to create a positive association with learning, reduce stress, and make learning enjoyable.

If your child likes to be in their study space, they’ll be happy to spend time in it. Consider having your child personalize and decorate their space with their own art, storage containers, bulletin boards, motivational quotes, and more. Having a space that they’re proud of will empower them to take ownership of their learning.

Tip 6: Take Breaks

If your child is feeling unmotivated, your instinct might be to keep them in the same spot until the task is done. But this behavior isn’t the answer. Remember, the key to keeping your homeschooler engaged is to create a positive and supportive learning environment, not a judgemental or punishing one. Instead, incorporate breaks into your child’s homeschool schedule.

Try short and frequent breaks every 20-30 minutes. Use a visual timer to help children understand how long the break will last and manage their time.

Try active breaks where your child engages in physical activity, such as jumping jacks, stretching, or a dance break. If your child needs a calmer option, they could practice simple yoga poses, stretching, or deep breathing exercises to calm the mind and body.

Try sensory breaks with fidget spinners, stress balls, or textured objects. You and your child could even spend a few minutes outdoors to connect with nature and refresh the senses.

Tip 7: Make Learning Relevant

One way to boost motivation is to show your child how what they’re learning connects to real life. But what does that really mean in practice and to children?

Get outside! Organizing field trips to local museums, zoos, farms, or historical sites allows children to experience history, science, and art firsthand. Community involvement, such as volunteering at a food bank, animal shelter, or community garden, fosters a sense of responsibility and empathy. Exploring the natural world through nature walks encourages curiosity and provides opportunities to discuss plants, animals, and ecosystems.

Get your hands dirty! Hands-on learning can make abstract concepts more concrete and engaging for elementary-aged children. Conducting simple science experiments at home, like growing crystals, sparks curiosity and introduces scientific principles at a young age. Cooking and baking provide opportunities to teach measurement, fractions, and nutrition. Engaging in art, like painting, drawing, sculpting, and building, encourages creativity and self-expression.

Get competitive! Game-based learning can make learning fun and engaging for elementary-aged children. Playing board games that involve strategy, problem-solving, and critical thinking can enhance cognitive skills. Card games can be used to practice math facts, spelling, or vocabulary in a fun and interactive way. Online learning games offer a wide range of educational content and activities, making learning accessible and enjoyable.

Get social! Social learning is an essential component of a child's development. Arranging playdates with other homeschooled children allows them to develop social skills, practice cooperation, see how others learn, and learn from them. Joining homeschooling groups and forums provides opportunities to connect with other families, share resources, and seek support. Participating in community events, such as fairs, festivals, and sports leagues, helps children interact with people from diverse backgrounds and develop a sense of belonging to their community.

Tip 7: Check Out Engaging Homeschool Curriculum

Take a few minutes to check out engaging homeschool curriculums. A different approach might help your child engage more meaningfully with their lessons.

When you feel frustrated, it can be hard to remember what options are out there to help you and your child. But luckily, there are resources available! Your student may qualify for free homeschool art curriculum mailed to your door every month. Through Outside the Box Creation, you can order art boxes using your state’s grant funds. Our boxes are designed by a professional artist, filled with high-quality and eco-friendly art supplies, include a detailed project guide with step-by-step instructions, and always contain accompanying books, offering a holistic approach to learning.