Keeping kids focused on school

SALT LAKE CITY — There isn't a lot of time left in the school year, and a lot of kids may seem burned out. So what can parents do to keep their kid focused on their work?

Some tutors say they notice burnout beginning in March, especially among high school students.

Hobble Creek Learning Center Director Stephanie Harker said, "We have parents that come in and say, ‘They stopped doing their homework. They don't have any motivation to anything anymore.'"

Harker says there are a few reasons why this may happen. One may be apathy. Harker says it's not uncommon for a child to lose interest in a subject when they start falling behind.

"What happens, many times, in the classroom is the teacher will teach the concept, and maybe this child didn't get it, but they're too embarrassed to say they didn't get it," she said. "So, the teacher goes on and they didn't get [the concept] and now they're really behind."

She says it's important that parents talk to their child's teacher to find out which concepts tripped up their child. Once they grasp the concept that gave them trouble, they can work on catching up with the rest of the class.

"For us, the method that is most effective is to do an evaluation when the student comes in and find out where their deficits are and where they're strong, as well," Harker said.

Another thing that kids have trouble with is just a general lack of motivation. Harker says many parents and many teachers don't know how to get the child interested in learning.

"They don't understand why they can't motivate the child, but sometimes it's just a matter of asking," she said.

Harker says motivators might include TV or video game privileges or time with friends. But, it's different for every child.

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