Motivation is the key to learning



Motivation to learn is a competence acquired through general experience but stimulated most directly through modeling, communication of expectations, and direct instruction or socialization by significant others, especially parents and teachers.

Children's home environment shapes the initial constellation of attitudes they develop toward learning. When parents nurture their children's natural curiosity about the world by welcoming their questions, encouraging exploration, and familiarizing them with resources that can enlarge their world, they are giving their children the message that learning is worthwhile and frequently fun and satisfying.



Key Research Findings

• High motivation in students is linked to reduced dropout rates and increased levels of student success.
• Students are more engaged in learning when they are active and have some choice and control over the learning process, and the curriculum is individualized, authentic, and related to their interests.
• Intrinsically motivated students retain information and concepts longer, and are less likely to need remedial courses and review.
• Intrinsically motivated students are more likely to be lifelong learners, continuing to educate themselves outside the formal school setting long after external motivators such as grades and diplomas are removed.
• Discipline and motivation are two sides of the same sword. A motivated student is not a discipline problem, and discipline problems are caused by a lack of motivation.

Infants and young children appear to be propelled by curiosity, driven by an intense need to explore, interact with, and make sense of their environment. As one author puts it, "Rarely does one hear parents complain that their pre-schooler is 'unmotivated' " (James Raffini 1993).

Unfortunately, as children grow, their passion for learning frequently seems to shrink. Learning often becomes associated with drudgery instead of delight. A large number of students--more than one in four--leave school before graduating. Many more are physically present in the classroom but largely mentally absent; they fail to invest themselves fully in the experience of learning.

Help motivate your child

• Engage students in setting learning goals. Make sure that goals are challenging, but achievable. Encourage students to take ownership for their learning, and to reflect on what they have learned and accomplished.
• Make real-world connections. Help students see how skills they are learning can be applied to the real world. Use technologies for learning that students are already choosing to use outside of class.
• Recognize individual differences. Not every student will be motivated by the same thing. Give students individual feedback. Remind them that success often requires persistence and a willingness to overcome obstacles.
• Reward with care. Students who are motivated only to avoid failure or to earn a certain grade rarely exert more than the minimum effort to meet their goal. Give prompt feedback and praise good work to help build students' self-confidence.
• Foster collaboration rather than competition among students. Encourage students to master skills at their own rate, for their own benefit, rather than competing with classmates.

Please comment on other ways parents can help motivate their child to love learning?