To lessen procrastination and stress, encourage your child to promise himself a reward when he finishes a hard task. Knowing he has a treat waiting for him will make him more eager to get the job done.

The reward could be playing ball, reading a book or chatting on the phone with a friend. You could promise him a treat as well. But he knows best what will get him motivated.

Two cautions:

1. Make sure the reward isn’t more than the job merits. Watching TV for two hours is far too big a reward for completing a 15-minute science review.

2. Avoid using sweets and junk food as a treat. They’re not good for the brain or the body.

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