Tips on How to Motivate Your Child to Attend School

  • Below is a list of free/low cost incentives to help motivate your child to be punctual and attend their morning meetings. 

     

    Bake a Cake

    Bake something special as a reward. Get creative with a square cake and write with frosting to congratulate them on their set goals. Have fun coming up with ideas to honor good attendance with a cake (or cupcakes!).

     

    Take a Day Trip

    They probably have a favorite place they like to go. Or you may be thinking about taking them out of town for an adventure in a neighboring city. When a long term attendance goal is accomplished, plan a visit to a children's museum, the zoo, an amusement park or an aquarium (during these COVID times it may be harder to attend certain places so perhaps google local open and safe adventures for your children).

     

    Watch a Movie

    Try a family movie night at home that turns your living room into a movie theater. It's their moment, so they get to choose the snacks and an age-appropriate movie.

     

    Eat Pizza

    Order pizza or take that extra step and have a DIY pizza night. They can have fun making their own pizza's at home with all their favorite pizza toppings!

      

    Give Them Extra Time

    When your student has consistently shown improvement on attendance, give your kids some extra time rewards. The time could be a night with a later bedtime or being able to play video games on a day you wouldn't normally allow.

     

    Pick out New Books

    If you're on the fence about rewarding your child, you may be swayed if you give them something educational. Head to the bookstore and let them pick out a book they want to read. Or select a book you can read together.

     

    Go to the Ice Cream Store

    A sweet treat can be a fun reward for you and your children. Make a special trip to the ice cream store or try making your own ice cream at home with a baggie.

     

    Serve Your Child's Favorite Meal

    Serve up their favorite meal as a reward, weird requests and all.

       

    Play a Board Game

    Let them choose a new board game when they consistently meet their attendance goals. Make sure it's something all of you can play together during a family game night. It will be a win-win for everyone.