Choosing motivation - internal and external
On the internal motivation we rarely think. It is our sincere desire, and to explain their condition, only one word - "I want to." Children enjoyed listening to the music of your favorite band, master anything with your hands or reading adventure novels, because they like to do it.
Extrinsic motivation is different - from pocket money to grades in school. It boils down to the phrase: "Do like this - and you'll get it here."
Psychologist Alfie Kohn in his book "award the penalty"Cautions not only parents, but also teachers of different promotions. Some parents promised to reduce the baby to the zoo for a good study, others are buying gadgets or even pay money. The problem is that it does not work: the student learns just as bad, and in addition also takes offense that did not receive what was promised!
Teachers try to motivate in ways seemingly more noble: introducing different titles (the best student of the month), give relief horoshist. Most often it happens: the best student of the month becomes the same child, and gets relief narrow range of pupils whose composition never changes. Others simply feel like a failure.
Why does not the extrinsic motivation
When we say, "Do it like this - and you'll get it here," the child first sees promise with enthusiasm. At the same time it is activated and the instinct of self-preservation.
The child begins to look not a creative way to solve the problem, and the most reliable and short.
He asks himself: "Why take the risk and take control yourself? It is better to write off in an excellent pupil, so reliable. " It turns out that there is a substitution purposes: do not study for the sake of knowledge and study in order to receive rewards.
Extrinsic motivation can work well, but only with the inner. By itself, it does not move forward, and makes "to serve the number" as soon as possible to get what you want, cursing whatever you do for the sake of it.
What affects the interest in learning
Cohn identifies three factors that affect motivation:
- Young children are ready to learn, and nothing in it is not required. They have highly developed internal motivation: they learn simply because they are fun.
- Effectively learn those children who have retained the intrinsic motivation. And others feel unable to, but it is not. Some students receive solid two, but manifest themselves in other areas. For example, know by heart dozens of songs favorite artist (and in algebra can not remember the multiplication table). Or avidly read fiction (while not touch to classical literature). Im just wondering. This is the essence of intrinsic motivation.
- Promoting destroy intrinsic motivation. Psychologists Carol Ames and Carol DUEK found that if parents or teachers emphasize some encouragement, the interest in children consistently reduced.
Where to begin
Motivation to return to learning - a long process, and success largely depends on the parents. Adults must first of all think about the three "C": content, cooperation and freedom of choice.
- Content. When a child does not comply with our demand, we are looking for ways to influence his behavior. Start with another: think about how reasonable your requirement. Probably will not happen do not worry if in Physics child will receive not only fours and fives. And the request "be quiet" children are not ignored because they are naughty, but because of the psychological characteristics of the age.
- Cooperation. Unfortunately, many parents do not know the word in the context of dialogue with the child. But the older your children are, the more often you have to bring them to cooperate. Discuss, explain, make plans together. Try to talk with your child as an adult man. Should not be perceived with hostility desire 15-year-old boy to become an astronaut. Calmly explain why you think this is unrealistic. Perhaps, in your words the son finds intrinsic motivation for growth.
- Freedom of choice. A child needs to feel part of the process, then it will be more responsible approach to solving problems. When he misbehaves, ask him why. You can argue that, and so you know what's going on, but still try. The answer may surprise you!
We are looking for intrinsic motivation
The internal state of the child is not easy to adjust, but still work in this direction can bear fruit.
- Learn to accept your child. For example, you may not like the new image of her daughter, but you have to accept it. In other words, it is not about indulging, and of understanding.
- Speak from the heart. If you are with your child close enough to start just talk. Ask what he is interested in and what problems arise in the study. Together find a way out.
- Help your child decide on the matter of life. Often, there is no intrinsic motivation, because the child does not understand why he needs all these formulas, theorems and rules are endless. It is important to decide what the child wants to do after high school. It will help to understand and many conversations with parents and consultations on career guidance and books for young people.
- Build a learning process on the enthusiasm of the child. The studies should try to join the sincere interest of the child (intrinsic motivation) with the school objects. This process is unique and requires a lot of attention from their parents. For example, you can learn English with your favorite movie (there are even whole programs devoted to the cult film). A teenager who loves computer games, surely entice programming and science associated with it.
Pull out the inner child's motivation - that is the task of the task. But for sensitive, thoughtful, genuinely interested parents is not a problem.
Based on the book "The penalty award."
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