xmlns:og='http://ogp.me/ns#' Yeah. Good Times.: How to motivate your Kindergartener

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

How to motivate your Kindergartener

Most of Child 2's homework in Kindergarten is me reading to him and then he's supposed to draw a picture about what we read and then write a few words. He loves the reading part but has so far refused to write or draw anything. I think it's a self confidence thing, he doesn't think he's good at it so he doesn't want to try. I had a conversation about this with his teacher a few weeks ago and she gave me some suggestions for things I could use to motivate him. I never did any of them; not because I'm lazy, but because this is his 2nd month in Kindergarten and I just don't think it's that big of a deal. He's freakishly smart and loves to learn, I'd rather let these things come naturally than force him to confront his insecurities and risk giving him a complex about it; he might end up thinking that learning is an embarrassing chore rather than something that he enjoys and I don't think it's that important to press the issue right now and I'm sure he'll get there eventually. Also because I'm lazy.

However, she failed to mention that one motivator that would trump all the others; the one that would get him past his fears and into the world of writing once and for all. Have him write the various components of his name and add a self portrait! When he's all alone. Late at night. And nobody is there to witness the act. With a permanent marker. On the wall. In his brother's room.


Pretty good penmanship for a first timer, though, right?



12 comments:

Big Daddy Autism said...

Good thing it was in permanent marker. Nice octagons?

Lynn said...

That was a pretty motivating blank wall. You're not lazy, you just know what motivates your son.

Dani G said...

Well, he didnt do it on his own wall, so clearly he's learned something!!

TMWHickman said...

Awesomeness!!!!! I think that your Child 2 secretly corresponds with my child...

Caryn said...

STOP signs! And David, and Ben. So, translation, if you are not David or Ben, STOP. No admittance. I amaze myself with my translating ability sometimes. ;)Also, I have 5 former magic marker Picassos, the twinnies have not graduated from crayola and #2 pencil. Mostly because they are too short to fall under the spell the addictive fumes of the magic markers... but it will happen. It's in their genes, apparently.

autismand said...

You wanted him to write. He wrote.
Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it : )

Tina@ www.theteethingmom.com said...

That's perfect! He has a little spot he can use as a freedom wall. In 2 days, he'll be jotting down his political rantings with symbols. Just watch.

tulpen said...

The wall in Owen's room got the same treatment. Really. How can a little kid resist a canvas like that?

Miss Melicious said...

Somehow I have a feeling that if my child met yours we'd have trouble on our hands. Pretty much the same story...only mine is a she.

Jen said...

I know I shouldn't laugh but............it really is excellent penmanship though! Jen

Kitty said...

Hahahahahahahaa!!! Sorry, I just had to laugh.... Great blog! :D

jillsmo said...

You guys REALLY don't need to apologize for laughing. That's the whole point!!

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