How to Motivate Lazy but Gifted Children

Some children may be bored in school, lacking an academic challenge.

It can be extremely frustrating for parents to see their gifted and intelligent children disregard education and motivation in preference of a lazy lifestyle. However, this is often the case with gifted children. Some gifted children may realize that they are gifted and feel entitled to an easy lifestyle, as a result of the fact that learning has always come easily. Other children may not feel challenged and become bored by school and education. Regardless of the cause, the key to motivating children is promoting hard work and presenting them with challenges.

Instructions

1. Nurture a child's love for a hobby or field of interest. This is a good alternative for children who may not take school seriously. Allowing them to explore other avenues of learning will avail great opportunities, in which they can learn to be curious about the world.

2. Praise children's hard work and refrain from telling them that they are gifted. Whereas it might seem counter-intuitive to withhold compliments about intelligence from your child, a study by the Scientific American found that this encourages students to be lazy in school. Instead, you should praise children for hard work, as this will encourage them to work hard instead of pursuing the most easy and lazy route.

3. Monitor the child's homework and school activities. This should go beyond asking a child if he has finished his homework. You should ask a child about lesson plans, specific assignments, upcoming projects and how he feels about what he is learning. These specific questions will allow you to understand whether or not he is actually applying himself in school or just telling you that he is.

4. Demonstrate how your own efforts have gotten you to where you are. You should present yourself as a model for your children, and highlighting a hard work ethic will encourage them to value hard work in the same way.

5. Respond to your child's actions with compassion. Lazy children can be frustrating and responding with anger or harsh punishments can lead children to continue the behavior out of spite. You should be compassionate in handling children, asking them how they feel about school and other activities. This can help clue you in as to what might motivate them.

References

• The Scientific American; The Secret to Raising Smart Kids; Carol S. Dweck; 2007
• Duke University: Parenting Strategies to Motivate Underachieving Gifted Kids
• Bright Minds, Poor Grades: Understanding and Motivating your Underachieving Child; Michael D. Whitley; 2001