Motivation plays a special role in a child’s educational development and success. Indeed, the key to raising a smart kid is motivation. But be aware on the focus of your motivation. Studies showed that the focus should be on effort and not on superior intelligence or ability if you want to promote your child’s success in education and in life.

Praising your kids is the best way to show them that you support them and you are appreciating what they are doing. Instead of praising them because you believed that they are born gifted with intelligence or ability, try to focus your praise on their effort and persistence they had shown in order to reach their goals. Always show them that you appreciate their efforts.

The focus on their intelligence or ability will not actually help them reach their goals. It provides them the excuse not to try anymore since they already have the capacity. Likewise, if a child believed that he has reached the limit of his capacity, he would not anymore exert effort to improve himself. Now that you have the idea on what it takes to raise a smart kid, try not to focus your appreciation to your child’s intelligence or ability. Let him know that he could do anything and be successful if he will try. Mistakes are really part of the process, so don’t worry that they might make mistakes.