Enhancing Motivation in Adolescents

There are several strategies parents can use to help
children remain more fully intrinsically motivated.
- Provide
an environment (through age appropriate toys, activities, etc.) that
allows children to freely explore and to see the effect of their actions
(i.e., toys that have visible or tangible changes when moved).
- Allow
children ample time when working to allow for persistence. When children
are deeply involved with an activity, make sure that they can finish
without interruption. Resist the natural urge to "help," and let
the child know if, for example, we have to go to the grocery store in a
few minutes.
- Respond
to children's needs in a consistent, predictable manner, but allow them to
be as independent as possible. This does NOT mean ceding all control to
your child. All children need clearly defined limits. Playtime, however,
need not be structured and organized. Let your kid be a kid!
- Provide
many opportunities for children and adults to explore together and
interact directly. It is important for both children and adults to be
working together on an activity. This lets you observe, model, and
encourage your child.
- Provide
situations that give children an acceptable challenge. Activities
that are slightly difficult for the child will be more motivating and
provide for stronger feelings of success when accomplished. This may take
some trial and error at first.
- Give
children opportunities to evaluate their own accomplishments. Rather than
stating that you think they have done a good job, ask them what they think
of their work. You'll never go wrong by asking the question, "What do
YOU think?"
- Do not use excessive rewards. They tend to undermine children's ability to value themselves. Praise and rewards should be based upon children's effort and persistence, rather than on the actual accomplishment.
The world through a child's eyes is an awesome place. Allow
children to explore and discover their world. Around every corner is an
experience just waiting to surprise and excite young growing minds; all they
need is a small amount of direction and a large amount of freedom. It is not
necessary to praise and reward children for their own actions as they attempt
to control their environment. The feelings of accomplishment they gain from
results of those actions will be reward enough. Providing excessive praise and
rewards is unnecessary and can actually be harmful to children's motivation and
desire to learn. Remember, the habits and attitudes toward learning that are formed
in these early years set the mood for all future learning.
Resources
Brophy, Jere (1997). Motivating students to learn.
Guilford. CT: McGraw-Hill. (ISBN: 0070081980).
Einon, D. (1999). Learning early. Checkmark
Books. ISBN: 0816040141
Lew, A. & Bettner, B. (1996) A parent's
guide to understanding and motivating children. Sheffield, UK: Connexions Press. (ISBN:
0962484180).
Kohn, Alfie. (2001). Five reasons to stop saying "Good
job." Young Children, 56, (5), 24-28.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comments matter...thank you!