Dr Andrew Martin is an Associate Professor at Sydney University.

He says: “Motivation is a vital ingredient in your child’s achievement, enjoyment and happiness at school. Motivation refers to your child’s energy and drive to learn, work effectively, and achieve their potential at school. Motivation is not only relevant to high school students, it is also very important for students in the early years of school.

To be most effective in increasing your child’s motivation, it is important to be very specific about what particular parts of your child’s motivation need to be improved. It is also important to be specific about what particular parts of your child’s motivation are strengths and need to be sustained”.

Dr Martin offers specific advice in his two books, How to Motivate Your Child – for School and Beyondand How to Help Your Child Fly Through Life – the 20 Big Issues.