Delaying summer work? Time to incentivize!

You can use the summer work as a teaching opportunity to demonstrate how planning is done.

Have your student count the number of days until school begins. Next have them count the number of pages they have to read, the number of pages to write for the papers, or the number of math worksheets. Divide that number by the number of days until school starts, and there you have the beginning of the plan. This will help you and your child know exactly how much they have to do each day to finish the work before school starts.

What time each day will they tackle the assignments? Scheduling is a step toward accomplishment. After you determine these pieces, you'll need something to get them motivated to DO the work!

A motivator might be access to electronic media after the day’s academic work is completed as scheduled. Psychologists call this the “Premack Principle” or grandma’s rule. First you work; then you play. This principle gets all of us moving to do the less attractive tasks on our agenda. Now there is a daily opportunity to do something fun after tackling the work.

Perhaps there could be a longer-term incentive when the final project is finished. Maybe your student would be motivated by a sleepover when the book report is complete, or having friends over for pizza. Offer several options, and let your student choose one as a celebration.

But remember, don’t make set plans until the work is completed – celebrations don’t happen based on a promise to finish it tomorrow!