Top Tips for Homeschool Motivation as the Year Wraps Up

As the school year comes to a close and summer break looms on the horizon, many homeschooling families may find it challenging to keep motivated; our homeschool included.  However, maintaining motivation until the very end of the school year is crucial to ensure that learning objectives are met and valuable educational progress is made.  In this article, I will provide five tips for improving homeschool motivation that we use in our homeschool. 

Now I’m not saying to uproot your routine that has been working so well all year long, but to inject some renewed energy and motivation into your homeschool days.  Learning doesn’t have to be limited to textbooks and worksheets.  There are numerous ways to make learning fun and exciting for your child(ren).  Try incorporating all those hands-on activities, science experiments, cooking projects, art projects, and games you’ve been avoiding.  I am talking to myself here, I tend to skip things that feel like they might be too much “work” or involve too much preparation or cleanup.  However, these activities are what my kids always remember the most and have the most fun.

You can also plan a nature walk and learn about plants and animals in your area, or take a trip to a local museum or zoo.  Learning in a new environment like this can help break of the monotony of daily school work and give your kid(dos) a way to move their body and release some energy. 

Another strategy that can help keep your child motivated is to utilize rewards and incentives.  This can be a powerful motivator for your child to complete their schoolwork and stay on track.  It’s also a great way to reward the completion of the goals you set in tip one.  The key to this is to find what motivates your child and tailor your rewards accordingly—some children like extra screen time, stickers, a new toy, or a fun outing.  In our homeschool, I print out “Dollar Bucks” that I found on Canva for free and laminate them.  My children get “dollar bucks” for doing chores, completing weekly school goals, and on occasion for doing something kind that they were not asked to do (like offering to water grandma’s plants). My children then use these “dollar bucks” to “buy” items from our reward bin.  I keep small toys, laminated pizza pictures (they get to go get a pizza with those), little science experiments, art projects, and other things I find or think of throughout the year in the bin.  Each item in the bin is priced accordingly.  For example, a small fidget toy might be 10 “Dollar Bucks” while a whole pizza will be 50 “Dollar Bucks”.  Since my kids earn 1 to 5 Dollar Bucks at a time, I try and make it so it takes them at least 2 weeks to earn even a small thing in the reward bin.

When implementing rewards and incentives, it’s important to set clear goals with your child.  Make sure they understand what is expected of them to earn the reward.  We keep a chart on our school board of what they need to do to earn “Dollar Bucks” and the quantity of “Dollar Bucks” they will earn for each task. It’s also important to ensure that these incentives are given consistently and fairly.  If you say your child can go to the zoo if they complete XYZ, then when they complete XYZ you need to sit down with them and plan when you are going to take a trip to the zoo and then follow through with going to the zoo. Setting clear, measurable goals, and providing meaningful rewards it can help your child stay on track and finish out the homeschool year strong. 

As a homeschooling parent, it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities of teaching and ensuring your child is staying on track with their studies.  Which, don’t get me wrong, it’s a good thing to put your child's education as a priority, however, don’t neglect your well-being or your child’s well-being.  Taking breaks throughout the day, week, and even the year is crucial for maintaining motivation.  It’s important to give yourself and your children permission to step away from homeschooling responsibilities and take time for yourself and themselves.  This can be as simple as going for a walk or reading a book.  These breaks allow you and your child to recharge and come back to homeschooling duties with renewed energy and focus.  Self-care looks different for everyone, but it generally involves taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.  This can include getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and taking time to relax and unwind.  It’s also important to prioritize activities that bring you joy and relaxation, no matter what that looks like for you.  By taking care of yourself, you will allow yourself to be able to better handle the challenges and stresses of homeschooling, ultimately leading to a more positive and productive experience for both you and your child. 

My last time is to remember how important it is to take a step back and celebrate all the victories (big and small) that you and your child have made so far this homeschool year.  Maybe your child struggled with a difficult math concept at the beginning of the year, but now they’re solving problems with ease.  Or perhaps they were resistant to reading at first, but now they are devouring books like there’s no tomorrow.  These little milestones may not seem like months in the grand scheme of things, but they’re significant indicators of growth and progress.  By taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate these achievements, you’re not only boosting your child’s confidence and motivation, but you’re also reinforcing the idea that hard work pays off. 

It's important to remind yourself and your child that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.  One way to celebrate these victories is to create a visual representation of your child’s accomplishments.  This could be a chart or a graph tracking their progress or a wall displaying their completed assignments or projects.  Seeing their achievements laid out in front of them can be incredibly motivating and can serve as a reminder of how far they have come. 

Celebrate your victories as a homeschool parent as well.  Teaching your child at home can be challenging and can feel overwhelming at times, and it’s crucial that you take the time to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work you’ve put in.  By celebrating the small victories and progress, you're creating a positive and motivating environment for both yourself and your child.  Take the time to recognize and appreciate your wins, big or small, and set your homeschool up for success in the long run.  So go ahead, pat yourself on the back, give your child a high-five, and celebrate how far you’ve come.  You got this!