Our motivation systems are partially laid out by genetics, but they’re also shaped by experiences. High levels of stress and a dearth of positive relationships with adults can affect how children’s brains respond to different tasks. Caring adults can help students develop the motivation systems that will serve them well, long into adulthood. Here are 5 ways to unlock the science of motivation:
Elicit curiosity and encourage exploration
Beyond their basic needs, children are intrinsically motivated by exploration, play, mastery, and success — all of which lay the groundwork for meaningful learning.
Adults can reinforce these motivations through positive feedback of kids’ natural tendencies, rather than tampering these tendencies by dismissing opportunities to explore, or being overly fearful that children will get hurt — fears that can rub off.
Prioritize social interaction
From babies to adolescents, social interaction is a key to motivation, releasing natural opioids — dopamine and serotonin — that activate the brain’s reward system. One study showed that babies learned language more quickly through face-to-face interactions with a caregiver than by watching that caregiver on video.
Remember that we all have different intrinsic motivators
A child who is intrinsically motivated to play sports might respond well to constructive criticism from a coach, eager for the internal sense of satisfaction that comes from doing well. But another student might respond more to encouragement and get discouraged by criticism.
These different motivation systems may be due to children’s genes and their life experiences, and they might require different approaches to motivate.
Don’t rely on incentives
Extrinsic feedback by itself is insufficient to drive motivation; the goal is to help kids develop their own inner fire to learn. Children have been shown to stop engaging in activities of their own accord once they’ve been given a tangible reward for them. Systems focused solely on external rewards and punishments are unlikely to achieve sustained, productive motivation.
Remind children that success is possible
We’re unlikely to be motivated to do anything if we think it’s impossible. A growth mindset — the belief that we can change and improve through practice, and that our talents and skills aren’t fixed — enables children to get motivated.
