adminCharles Dube
PARENTS and guardians have a role to play if their children are to make valid use of holiday time. We have been enlightened on how children or learners can make school holidays productive. In the same token today we share points with parents and guardians on how they can inspire their children to pursue excellence. Learners are likely to understand what their parents want in a relaxed atmosphere of holiday time.
Learners — do not take your parents for granted. Your parents may nag you and you may feel as if they do not understand you. To the contrary, they love you unconditionally, so appreciate them as often as you can. If you need motivation to study, go to the library. When you are surrounded by people who are studying you will feel inspired. Do not underestimate the effect your environment has on your motivation.
Learn to embrace challenges rather than avoid them. Choose to see challenges as fun opportunities to learn. Even if you cannot overcome challenges you would have grown as a person. Be grateful. Grateful learners are happy learners. No matter what situation you are in, there is always something to be thankful for: school, friends, family, food, nature and technology.
Parents, try to answer the following questions: Do your children seem content just coasting through life? Do they just do enough to get by, while never making the most of their potential? As a parent you try to help your children see the importance of doing their best, but, they don’t take your words to heart. They seem to think it is cool to be laid back — you definitely do not.
Parents and guardians, emphasise contribution over achievement. You have checked your child’s report card, were you satisfied or not? Research shows that many children and teens lose motivation when they feel as though they cannot live up to the expectations of those around them. This applies especially in the area of academics because they feel strong pressure to achieve certain grades.
When learners do not get those expected grades, they become discouraged. To enable your children to regain focus and motivation, emphasise that education is not primarily about getting good grades, instead it is about acquiring the skills and knowledge that will allow them to contribute more effectively. By focusing on contribution rather than achievement, learners will find greater purpose in their education.
Show your children that hard work is fun. In order for your children to make the most of their potential, they will need to put in a plenty of hard work. The problem is most learners see hard work as something to be avoided whenever possible. But hard work is both meaningful and rewarding. To help your children see this, share with them the joy of overcoming obstacles, solving problems, and reaping the fruits of their labour.
Parents or guardians, give your children descriptive praise. Descriptive praise is the kind of praise where you acknowledge your children’s good behaviour by specifically describing what they did rather than using general phrases like “Well done”, or “Great job.” Focus on solutions and opportunities, not problems. Make an effort to reframe problems or opportunities and explain to your children how you are taking advantage of these opportunities. By doing so, they will be more likely to embrace this positive mindset too.
Show your children that you are pursuing excellence, too. Work hard and become a master in your craft whether you are a nurse, mechanic, bus driver, or chief executive officer, always improve yourself. Do not complain. Through your can-do attitude, you can influence your children to adopt the same attitude. If you continually complain about your work, it is a sign that you have taken full responsibility. Be enthusiastic about life.
Agreed, it is hard to be enthusiastic about life where there are so many frustrations to deal with and problems to solve. Research says enthusiasm makes life more interesting and fun. It also makes it more likely that you will find success in the long run, because you will not lose heart so easily. Not only that, enthusiasm is contagious. Give the influence you have over your children, the more enthusiastic you are about life, the more enthusiastic they will be and the entire family will have more fun.
Lead by example as parents. Children look to you as a role model, so if you want them to be passionate about learning, show them that you are passionate about learning. If you want them to be focused and disciplined, show them the same. Encourage your children to read widely. As the saying goes, “Leaders are readers.” Reading widely exposes you to new perspectives and ideas enhancing your knowledge. Share with your children the interesting things you are learning.
This will spark in them love for learning which is the foundation for excellence. Research says a learner should not expect to become an educated person by going to school. School is a crucial part of your education, but it is just one. Why? Because there are many skills a learner will not master through formal education alone, for example, persuasion, negotiation, design thinking and adaptive thinking. Take a proactive approach towards learning these types of skills through books, videos and real-world experiences.
Learners will have done a great job if they were to consider these words of advice and many more. For views, link up with [email protected]/ or sms to 0772113207.
derick.khumalo