When the weather is cold and the days are short, it can be difficult to fight the urge to stay in bed. This can be especially difficult for parents who are trying to get their children up in the morning. Staying motivated in the winter can be incredibly difficult, especially for children who are old enough to be in school. However, here are some tips to help you motivate your children:
Why We Lose Motivation in the Winter
The days are colder and shorter, and for many people, it can make it more difficult to get the day going in the morning. Academic productivity usually plummets towards the beginning of winter, and seasonal affective disorders are fairly common in the winter months. So how do you keep your children motivated and productive during the winter?
Get Some Daily Exercise
It will be tough to do exercises outdoors when there is a foot of snow and it is below zero. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get any exercise whatsoever! Our minds are sharper when we add some exercise into our normal routines. Indoor fitness activities such as stretching, yoga, jump rope, and other simple body exercises are great for your kids. Getting physical movement is critical in increasing productivity. Oftentimes, the weather might be just warm enough to bundle up in warm layers and get a breath of fresh air!
School Work Should be Done Sooner than Later
Because it gets darker earlier in the evening, it can be a cause for demotivation. Having your children do their homework before the sun fully sets can boost their academic productivity. However, this may not be the case for every child. Make sure to find the time to identify when your child is most productive.
Keep the House Decluttered and Distraction Free
As the holidays bring many gifts and goodies to kids, it can be difficult to get them to focus on school after the long holiday break. This is especially true if they got a new gaming console or toys to play with. Make sure you only allow a certain amount of time for them to play before they need to do any academic work.
