Motivating Your Teen Article Archive

• Should Kids Be Forced To Finish Activities They've Started?It’s a familiar story: Your child begs to sign up for an activity, then weeks later refuses to go and begs you to let him quit. Our experts offer help in handling this frustrating scenario, as well as tips for preventing it in the future.
• Handwritten Thank-You Notes Offer Many Ways To LearnParents can add humor—and math and history learning—to this task, which is one that most children initially resist.
• Parents Need To Encourage Girls To Study Science, MathEveryone can learn math and science—and they need to.
• Show Your Adolescent How To Become a Real InventorInventing something can help people feel good about themselves.
• Don’t Just Criticize Teens; Offer Them Positive FeedbackParents try to help teens by offering opinions and advice.
• This School Year, Help Your Teen Be a Responsible CitizenTeens seem to be among the least involved citizens in our country.
• You Can Inspire Your Teenager Without Ever Saying a Word!Like many parents, Bay City, Michigan, reader Brenda Paten finds important ideas and values in the parenting articles she reads.
• Teach Your Child These Tips for Practicing Music, SchoolworkWhether your child is learning to play the trumpet or learning to solve for X, she needs to practice.
• Show Your Teenager How the Library Can Help Her SucceedWhen students have a big assignment due, most of them visit the library for help.
• Here’s How to Coach Teens Into Making Good DecisionsIf your teen acts like a mature adult one day and a little kid the next, it’s normal! He may be struggling with all the new decisions he has to make: What can I do to fit in?
• These Tips Can Help Teens Keep Grades in PerspectiveSome teens get discouraged when their grades aren’t what they “should” be.
• Keep Your Teen Reading Over the Summer MonthsEven if your teen isn’t enrolled in a summer school class, reading is important during school vacation.
• These Habits Will Get Your Teen Off to a Good StartTeens are creatures of habit.
• Here’s How to Keep Your Teen Turned On to SchoolMost students start school in September, excited and hopeful about the new year.
• This Year, Help Your Teenager Strive for Perfect AttendanceResearch shows that the single most important factor contributing to student achievement is school attendance.
• Use Television to Boost Critical Thinking SkillsAs teens grow older, critical thinking skills become even more important.
• Help Turn Your Teenager's Defeat Into a VictoryYour teen has just brought home a bad report card. Or, she’s failed a test. Your job is to teach her that what she sees as a failure is an opportunity to practice solving problems.
• Don’t Just Reward Teens for Good Grades; CelebrateMany parents offer their children a carrot—a tangible reward, like money—for each good grade on their report card.
• Ask These Questions If Your Teen Says She’s Bored in ClassThe MTV generation seems to get bored very quickly.
• Motivate your middle schooler during the mid-year doldrumsIt’s normal to fall into a rut once in a while, but you don’t want your child making a habit of it.
• Teens With Inner Strength Overcome Life’s ProblemsHow teens can overcome personal obstacles.
• Mentoring Can Be a Rewarding Summer Project for Your TeenFew things are more important than providing children with good role models.
• Make advice easier to take with three pluses and a wishSometimes we need to give our teens advice.
• How Parents Can (and Can’t) Help Teens Writing Term PapersYour teen has to write a term paper.
• You Can Help Your Teen Bring a Disappointing Grade Back UpThe first grading period has come and gone.
• Setting Goals is The First Step in Reaching ThemPeople who have goals are more likely to meet them.
• Most Successful Teenagers Believe In Working HardYou can make your own luck.
• Teens who focus on dreams put effort into schoolworkMotivate your teen to work harder in school by helping her focus on her dreams.
• What Do Today’s Teens Need Most to Become Successful?Many parents wonder what teens need most to make it in today’s world.
• Teens Who Are Bored at School Need EnrichmentSometimes a very bright teen will lose interest in school.
• Motivate Your Teen to Succeed In the Classroom & in Real LifeWhether your teen wants to earn a place on the honor roll, skate in the Olympics or get a summer job, he may need a boost in motivation.
• Consider a College Trip to Show Your Teen What’s AheadSometimes, a bright teen simply doesn’t take high school seriously.
• Broaden Your Teen’s Awareness With Some Community ServiceCommunity service is good for every teen.
• Help Your Procrastinating Teen Get Organized, Set PrioritiesShe has a big math test in two days.
• Share Your Career Advice & Talents With Teens at SchoolDo you have any special talents?
• Your Teen Should Plan to Take Some Challenging ClassesMore and more research is backing up what many parents have always known.
• Emphasize the Joy Of Learning To Motivate Your TeenAs a parent, it is hard not to be concerned about the grades your teen receives in school.
• Show an Interest In More Than Just Your Teen’s GradesGood grades are important, but they are not the reason for going to school.
• Help Your Teen Remain Active, Keep Learning During SummerSummer is a time for fun.
• Regular School Attendance Puts Teens on the Road to Success“Why do I have to go to school anyway?
• Goals Can Help Students Focus On Their School AchievementEarly in the year, ask your teen to set some goals for the year.
• Offer Help, Praise & Encouragement To Your TeenagerIts important for parents to step in at the first signs that your teen is struggling in school.
• Show Teens That Learning is About More Than GradesYou probably ask your teen how he is doing in school.
• Show Your Teen That Success is Mainly the Result of Hard WorkThomas Edison, inventor of electric light and one of America’s greatest scientists, had a saying about success.
• Teach Your Teen That Effort is a Key Factor for SuccessToo often, even adults think the ability to succeed is something we are born with.
• Teens’ internal motivation results in lifelong learningTeens who are internally motivated want to learn.
• Parents Can Help Direct Teen Exploration in Positive WaysTeens are explorers.
• Make a Point to Ask Your Teen Questions About Report CardsReport cards can give you some answers about how well your teen is doing in each class.
• Encourage Your Teenager to Find a ‘Mind-Building’ HobbyAs your teen gets older, she is learning to think in a different way.
• Setting High But Fair Expectations Can Motivate TeensNearly all parents want to help their teens succeed.
• You Can Help Make School Exciting for Your TeenagerEven the most studious teens get bored with schoolwork sometimes.