If you have young kids and want to give them the tools needed for success both now and going forward, there are some foundational principles they learn and master.
Kids are sponges but must soak in the right information to make good choices.
So, if you want to ensure your kids have the building blocks needed to actually want to put in the work required for success, you’ll want to start early.
The years go by fast, so don’t wait too long. Before long, your kids will exchange strollers for tricycles, tricycles for bikes, and bikes for cars.
You’ll want your kids to shoot for the stars, do well in school, get rewarding jobs, and become contributing members of society.
But when your children get to the point where college or university is on the horizon, will they have the motivation to study for the SAT or ACT?
Achieving good scores will take hard work, determination, and consistency.
Your children may be whip-smart and have the right tools, but nothing replaces ongoing practice to achieve success and there are many tools and SAT and ACT practice tests to help.
Your children will need to be motivated to succeed.
They’ll want to know what the payoff is and what’s in it for them before buying into the process.
Keep reading to learn what you can do now–when your kids are younger–to ensure that they have the motivation needed when the time comes to transition to post-secondary studies.
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Focus on Strengthening Their Attention Span
One of the things you need to teach kids while they’re young is how to pay attention.
They’ll tend to focus on what interests them, so getting them interested in learning new things is key.
With the pervasiveness of technology these days, it can be hard for kids to focus on learning.
According to one study, there’s a link between toddlers watching television and shortened attention spans by the age of seven. So, limiting screen time now will pay dividends later.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to teach your kids the importance of paying attention.
Set Good Example: One way you can do this is by setting a good example. If you don’t want your kids to spend too much time in front of screens, you should take that advice to heart.
Encourage Organization: You can also teach your kids to get organized. You can do so by helping them to set reasonable objectives, breaking things down into steps they can manage, and encouraging them to stay the course.
Keep Tech in Check: You should also limit their use of technology so that they’re not neglecting other important things. Being able to pay attention will help your kids at all stages of life.
Work With Them
It’s best to work collaboratively with your kids if you want to give them the skills needed to become self-motivated and ambitious people.
You won’t get very far if you try to force-feed your kids the lessons you want them to learn and take to heart.
If you’d rather not have what you say go in one ear and out the other, consider the following points:
- Ensure your kids are paying attention–that they are focusing on what you have to say.
- Ensure your kids are taking in the things you’re telling them.
It might seem like A and B are the same but they aren’t.
You want your kids to pay attention and be receptive.
So, you need to have something important to say and then say it in a way that resonates with your kids so they put what they learn into practice.
Do you want your kids to do well on their SAT or CAT tests when the time comes?
Ensure they:
- Know what’s at stake
- Understand the importance hard work plays in being ready
- Know what the payoff is if they study hard and do well on their tests
You’ll want to determine whether your children are internally motivated–meaning they’ve bought into the program–or externally motivated–meaning they haven’t bought into the program.
If any of your kids are the latter, you’ll need to get them to become internally motivated.
The best way to accomplish this is to show your kids that doing well is in their best interests.
If they think you’re living vicariously through them or that it’s more about you than them, they may rebel.
Another way you can turn an externally motivated child into an internally motivated child is by getting them to identify the schools they most want to attend.
Once you do so, you can let your kids know that achieving high SAT or ACT scores will give them a competitive advantage.
Stay on Top of Things
Just because you want to work collaboratively with your child doesn’t mean you’re not in charge.
Staying on top of things means ensuring that your children are doing what they’re supposed to do.
If they have homework, check in on them.
It’ll help them to do what’s expected of them.
The seeds you sow when they’re young bears fruit when the time comes to take and be Ready for Their SAT Tests.
While starting earlier makes sense, you don’t want to regiment things to the point where your kids are overwhelmed or frustrated.
Let them help set their study schedule.
You might find that letting them take breaks every half hour or so gives them the flexibility they need to succeed.
Most people do better if there’s a routine in place, so find what works best for your kids.
Steer Clear of Negativity
Avoid negativity at all costs. Ensure you communicate effectively so your kids know you’re trying to help.
Also, avoid raising your voice, embarrassing them, threatening them, denying them things they need like food and rest, or doing anything else that could discourage your kids.
Reward Hard Work
You can also encourage your kids to study hard by giving them rewards.
You can reward them both for hard work and progress.
Encouragement in the form of rewards will give your kids the incentive to continue putting in the work. Of course, the rewards don’t have to be big ones.
You might, for instance, reward them by allowing them to choose where family will get takeout, what movie the family will watch, or something else that you can think of.
Are you looking to prepare your kids for a smoother transition to young adulthood?
You can help by encouraging them at an early age.
The process of taking SAT or ACT tests can be stressful.
But if your kids have motivation, know what hard work entails, and have goals, they’ll do just fine.
