Every educator encounters students who struggle academically, not because of a lack of ability, but because motivation has dimmed. At Vikaasa, we understand that knowing how to help underperforming students requires a more serious appreciation of what drives young learners.
Research consistently shows that motivation influences study strategies, academic performance, adjustment, and overall well-being in educational settings.
In fact, engagement in learning is such a critical predictor of success that low-income students who are engaged in reading achieve higher ratings than middle- to high-income students who are not involved.
Below is a practical, research-backed plan students can use at home and in class that incorporates the inquiry-driven ethos of the Cambridge Education Board.
Identify the Type of Motivation Your Student Needs
It’s crucial to understand what pushes a student to learn before implementing any strategies. Having a clear picture of their needs and expectations can help you better motivate students.
What to do:
- Keep an eye on how your student responds better to internal satisfaction (intrinsic motivation) or external rewards (extrinsic motivation).
- Ask them: “What makes you excited to learn something new?” and “What makes you want to complete your homework?”
- Observe their answers and note areas of interest and improvement.
- Identify those who are intrinsically motivated without expecting any external rewards, while extrinsically motivated students rely on grades and recognition.
- Create a motivation journal with your student to track the activities they naturally enjoy.
- List three things they have recently learned outside of school. It could be a new video game, hobby, or sport and identify what motivated that learning.
- Use these insights to frame academic tasks similarly.
Ensure Your Students Meet Their Basic Necessities
You cannot motivate students effectively if their fundamental needs aren’t met.
What to do:
- Check if your student is getting adequate sleep (8-10 hours for school-age children).
- Ensure they are eating balanced, nutritious meals and staying hydrated.
- Create a physically and emotionally safe learning environment.
- Handle any bullying, anxiety, or stress issues delicately and scrupulously.
- Emphasise the importance of creating a pertinent sleep routine.
- Provide healthy snacks during homework time.
- Designate a quiet, organised study space free from distractions.
- Have weekly check-ins about how they are feeling emotionally.
Build a Relationship Based on Trust and Empathy
Research shows that positive relationships between students and teachers significantly impact motivation.
What to do:
- Greet your student warmly by name every day.
- Make genuine eye contact and smile.
- Listen actively without immediately offering advice or criticism.
- Share common interests and personal anecdotes that relate to their experiences.
- Spend 5 minutes daily in non-academic conversation.
- Praise effort and improvement: “I noticed how hard you worked on that math problem.”
- Keep disagreements private and never embarrass a student in front of peers.
- Remember details they share and follow up: “How did your soccer game go?”
Plan Content That Excites Them
You often help weak students improve by sharing real-life stories of how underdogs win against all odds and connecting them to academic concepts in a fun, engaging way.
What to do:
- Link every lesson to real-world applications. Don’t teach them about volcanoes. Show them how to build one. It is a science experiment that’s both silly and packed with information.
- Use examples from their daily lives, favourite shows, or future career interests.
- Incorporate current events and trending topics into discussions.
- Create projects using everyday materials and situations.
- Before each lesson, ask: “Where will I use this in real life?”
- Ask students to identify where they see today’s lesson in their neighbourhood.
- Assign projects that solve actual problems they have observed.
- Invite professionals from fields they are interested in to speak about how they use academic skills.
Reward Their Successes
Nothing except success motivates. And nothing builds on success like rewards. Challenge your students with tasks and celebrate their wins.
What to do:
- Teachers love giving homework. But there is a fine line between overloading them and allowing them to learn. Don’t dump them with assignments and submissions. It’s okay to give simple, manageable tasks.
- Set clear, specific goals: “Complete five math problems” instead of “study math.”
- Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small.
- Create visible progress trackers, such as checklists, charts, and apps.
- Use the “5-minute rule.” Ask them to commit to just 5 minutes of work, and they will usually continue working on the task afterwards.
- Create a success wall displaying completed work and achievements.
- Send positive notes home, highlighting specific improvements.
- Use phrases like “You have mastered this concept” rather than a simple “good job.”
How Can Parents Motivate Their Children Better
- Recognise that students following the Cambridge Education Board or studying in top ICSE schools in Madurai may face a different kind of pressure.
- Avoid comparing your child to siblings or classmates.
- Help them build curiosity for lifelong learning by sharing what you are learning.
- Be patient. Rebuilding motivation takes time and consistent effort.
- Differentiate your approach; what motivates one child may not inspire the other.
The Bottom Line:
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for motivating students. Research on student motivation shows that success comes from addressing multiple factors simultaneously: the student’s individual needs, teacher practices, content relevance, teaching methods, and environmental conditions.
The best you can do? Start by implementing three steps from this guide every day. Observe what works, adjust what doesn’t, and gradually incorporate more strategies. You don’t have to rush the process. Go small. Celebrate big.
