Have you ever noticed how you do things differently? If yes, then you should know that the same is true for children. Some kids feel inspired and stimulated to do things themselves, while others only get motivated when someone tells them what to do.
These two scenarios are very much accurate, and they are currently happening to children among various families. As a parent yourself, you only want the best for your children, which is the former. As such, you would not have to think about how to motivate your children to do things since they have the will to do stuff on their own.
But that rarely happens these days. With many distractions around, how to motivate your children to study is a challenge.
Therefore, before coming up with a plan, you should know what type of motivation your children have. There are two main types, and these are:
Intrinsic Motivation
Just in case you are not familiar with the word intrinsic, it means innate. It is a natural thing that a person already has or exists within themselves.
Hence, when it comes to intrinsic motivation, that person does things because they want to. Whether it is for fun or challenge, they do it based on how they feel.
Extrinsic Motivation
Meanwhile, extrinsic motivation is the opposite of intrinsic. It is something that a person does because they will gain something.
In other words, it is the carrot and stick method. To encourage someone to do things, they will find ways to motivate them, whether through praise, fame or money.
Intrinsic Motivation vs Extrinsic Motivation | Which One Should You Use?
Honestly, there is no right or wrong between the two. It is just that the former might work better than others, while the latter might suit the rest.
That is why before you do anything, know what type of motivation your children have. Doing so should help you come up with a plan for how to motivate your children to study.
How to Motivate Children With Intrinsic Motivation?
If your answer is intrinsic motivation, here are some tips on how to motivate your children.
● MAKE ROOM FOR MISTAKES.
No one is perfect, neither are your children. That is why when they do something wrong, do not carelessly scold them. Let your children realise what mistakes they have made, so they would come up with ways to solve the problem.
Doing this would help your children know that failing at something is not the endpoint. It is the beginning to start anew.
● RECOGNISE ACHIEVEMENTS.
Everyone wants validation, and that includes your children. Therefore, when you notice they did their best at something, acknowledge their effort. Doing so would make them proud of their work and want to work harder.
Here is a good example of recognition:
Amazing! I love how you drew this picture for me. I could tell you spend a lot of time working on it!
● BREAK OUT EVERYTHING INTO STEPS.
Another way on how to motivate your children through intrinsic motivation is breaking down the tremendous things into small ones.
For example, if you want your children to learn how to write a sentence, you should do it step by step like the following:
- First, teach them what consonants and vowels are.
- Next, pronounce the letters with them.
- Once done, show them how to write each letter.
- Make sure to explain every word you teach them.
Doing all of these a step at a time would encourage your children to learn. Plus, they are less likely to get pressured to do it.
● PROMOTE A SENSE OF GRATITUDE.
A study shows that sincerely praising your children for a job well done will motivate them to work harder.
But make sure not to overdo it since too much can pressure them. Also, that would make your words sound not sincere at all. Therefore, do it once in a while and make your praise sounds as natural as possible.
How to Motivate Children With Extrinsic Motivation?
But if your children have extrinsic motivation, you should learn its four types. Otherwise, you would have a hard time motivating your kids. Therefore, understand the difference between these four types of extrinsic motivation below.
● EXTERNAL.
This word means something given by others as a reward.
For example, a student who wants to have flying colours would study hard to make that happen. This course of action is what external, extrinsic motivation is. Something is controlling the person to do their best, which is very opposite to intrinsic motivation.
● INTEGRATED.
This extrinsic motivation causes someone to do something because of their values or needs. That is why most experts say that it shares the same values as intrinsic motivation. The only difference is that integration is also controlled by something else and not innate willingness.
● INTROJECTED.
Unlike the first two, this extrinsic motivation is something that a person does not want to do, but they have to. Otherwise, they will feel guilty, or others will look down on them if they do poorly.
● REGULATION THROUGH IDENTIFICATION.
Among the four types, this one is less controlling of them all because they feel it is something that matters to them.
For example, a student works hard during his high school years, so he will have a higher chance of getting into a good college.
A Final Words of Advice!
Whatever you do, your words and actions will leave a mark on your children. They will last for a long time, and some of what you did during their childhood is something they will also use when they have children of their own.
That is why you should be careful and think things through before doing anything. Keep in mind that whatever you do can affect and change someone else’s life.
For more tips on how to motivate children to study, go to Carean Oh. This modern educator has a lot of parenting tips that can help you a lot with your kids.
Visit her website now and find out what parenting tips she has in Singapore!
