How to Instill a Good Work Ethic in Your Children
Just as it̵7;s not enough to tell your slacker co-worker to work harder, it̵7;s not enough just to tell a child about the importance of a good work ethic. No, the teaching of a good work ethic begins with good boundaries and a little one-on-one assistance. Parents also play a large role in shaping their child̵7;s home and academic work ethic through interaction and support. By knowing how to change your expectations toward your child, you show your child how to change his outlook toward work.
Instructions
Establish limits. Create boundaries that will push your child away from distractions and toward his work. For example, a child who watches television while he eats his afterschool snack might lack the willpower to turn off the television after one show. In his mind, he likely knows he has homework to do but thinks, ̶0;Just one more show, and then I̵7;ll get started.̶1; The ̶0;one more show̶1; might then turn into three more shows, keeping him from getting started on his homework until an hour before dinnertime. Set a limit on problematic behavior like this, such as by restricting television after 4 p.m. Follow up on limits. Explain the reason the limits are in place, emphasizing the importance of chores and academics over playtime or other distractions. Avoid using the timeworn ̶0;because I say so̶1; reasoning, which only tells children something they already know: You̵7;re the one that sets the rules. Instead, express the importance behind setting the limitation. Further emphasize this importance by explicitly stating the consequence of breaking the limit. Engage in this discussion either when you first set the limit or the first time your child breaks the limit -- thereby giving him a second chance with an added explanation such as, ̶0;I said no TV after 4 p.m. because school is more important than TV. I̵7;m disappointed that you broke this rule, and if it happens again, I̵7;ll just unplug the TV." Help your child with his chores and homework, but don̵7;t do them for him. Show him the importance of planning before jumping into a room-cleaning project or study session haphazardly. Doing so shows him not only the importance of time management but also of organization in planning and studying. For example, if your child doesn't know where to start with cleaning his room, help him devise a plan of action, listing in order the areas that should be cleaned and how to clean them. Likewise, if your child is studying for next week̵7;s test, help him devise a study plan. Outline the areas of the text on which he̵7;ll be tested and create a schedule with learning goals attached. According to NYC Teaching Fellows, your goal should be to perform this activity with him to help him complete his academic tasks on his own, thereby relieving yourself of your job as his study planner. Reward your child for productivity. Give praise or small gifts to your child when he̵7;s made improvements in his work ethic. Remember to ignore the guilt that naturally comes in the form of the question, ̶0;Am I bribing my child?̶1; In fact, these are expressions of pride in him and demonstrations that school is important, behaviors that reinforce his productive behavior, according to Trinity College Dublin̵7;s children̵7;s research center. So go ahead and push your child forward via praise, hugging and the occasional small gift.