Researchers at Harvard University have conducted a new study to find out where a child’s motivation comes from and how to increase it.
It turned out that the motivation for a certain activity is influenced by heredity, but to a much greater extent – the experience of achievements and defeats, examples of adults, and certainly an education. Parents often complain that the child does not want to learn. However, scientists have proven that there are no children who do not want to do anything.
Children who seem less motivated to learn actually have a developed motivation to avoid. It encourages the avoidance of risk and negativity such as criticism or low ratings. There is a second type of motivation – achievement, which leads us to reward, result. With this mood, you can develop determination, the desire to get the delayed pleasure. These two types of motivation balance each other.
In addition, the lack of positive relationships with adults reduces the motivation to try new activities. It is also important for the baby to see how adults work. After all, according to the study, a child under the age of one who sees how parents perform tasks successfully will make much more attempts to succeed than one who sees that adults do not succeed.
5 ways to help children with motivation
Be curious and encourage research
Preschoolers are by nature motivated by play, and elementary school students are motivated by interesting research and the desire to acquire skills. Adults can reinforce these motives with positive feedback, and children can copy their curiosity. Therefore, at the age of 6-10, it is important to follow the interests of the child, to encourage any attempts to learn about the world around him.
Don’t rely on gadgets
Research has shown that children learn a language faster through direct communication with a teacher than if they listen and see it on video. In our digital world, gadgets are a good addition to learning, but they can’t replace personal communication.
Praise the process, not the result
The first attempts are often unsuccessful. Therefore, if you evaluate only the successful attempts of the child, she will have a fear of negative evaluation and fear of not living up to expectations. This will increase the motivation to avoid. So the best solution: support and praise for your efforts, concentration, and work.
Be careful with incentives
If a boy or a girl is accustomed to material rewards, it extinguishes long-term motivation. The expected prize loses novelty, and the brain shows less activity. If the reward is even less than expected, motivation slows sharply. So the only way to stay motivated if you resort to rewards is to “raise rates.” The prize should be a surprise and even better than the child expected. But the best way to instill healthy motivation is positive feedback and interesting activities for the child: play, creativity, research.
Criticize those who are already motivated
A child who aspires to become an athlete will perceive constructive criticism from the coach as a chance to improve results. But a newcomer to the fitness center after criticism may be disappointed in their abilities and no longer come there. So criticize only those who are ready for it. Those who are weakly motivated will be much better influenced by encouragement for trying and simplifying tasks.