It’s often next to impossible to get youngsters to understand that applying themselves to the tasks before them (especially schoolwork) is important for their own good. So how to get your kids to try harder without resorting to short-lived bribes? A few tips:

• Get to the heart of the problem.
  Kids are often motivated by the prospect of simply pleasing their parents. So when effort drops, try to root out any other possible problems. Check with your pediatrician and school counselors. Find out if there’s an emotional issue. Try to talk with your kids directly. 
• Focus on progress.
  If you keep your eye on such aims as your child being the best quarterback or the best speller, you’re expecting too much. Focus instead on steady progress. 
• Give them a choice.
  Don’t try to force your child into something you think they should do. If kids feel they have a choice, they’ll try harder at the choices they make. Point out what talents you think they may have, provide options and opportunities, and be honest about what it would take to excel in any chosen activity. 
• Make them feel good about what they are doing.
  Give them lots of praise. They’ll want to do more if they feel good about what they’re doing. But make sure you’re sincere, honest and specific in your praise. Point out their strengths. 
• Use rewards wisely.
  Sometimes a reward helps a child get started in an activity or motivate them when they’re losing interest. But use the reward only to give them a jump-start. After that, replace the reward with verbal encouragement. 
• Talk about your own work.
  When you share your own sense of accomplishment at your work or hobbies, kids may be motivated to work harder so they have their own successes to share with you.