Advice for a friend re: Year 4 boy

[sittinginthesun]

Just had a long chat with my friend, who is pulling her hair out about her son. Wondered if MN had any suggestions...

Year 4 boy, bright, quirky, popular but very individual child, reads lots, top third of class in all subjects, but simply not motivated. Day dreams, does not concentrate and seems to not really care. Will generally do minimum work he can. School and Mum have tried loads of things - carrot and stick! Charts, rewards, sterns words, meetings with child and Mum. Strict but fun teacher this year, who usually gets best out of the children, but all her usual tricks are not working.

My friend wonders if there any books that anyone could recommend that could give some suggestions?

She should read Mindset by Carole Dweck.

Since when do 8yo boys need to be "motivated"?

Sounds like my son ,coasted his way right through school and has just discovered that sometimes you have to work , he's in the second year at uni!

Thanks for the suggestion. It looks very interesting.

Don't you think that everyone needs to be motivated to some extent? This child is just not engaging with lessons etc.