One of the biggest frustrations parents often face is getting their kids motivated to learn. Whether it’s mastering multiplication, learning a new language, or sticking with the soccer team despite riding the bench most of the season, it can be difficult to get our kids to be enthusiastic about learning new skills. Especially when the going gets tough.
Our children’s reluctance to venture into unfamiliar territory is understandable. Learning new skills can be frustrating, and failure can be discouraging or, worse, embarrassing. Research has shown, however, that parents can help their children more readily embrace challenges and understand the value of persistence without relying on excessive external rewards.
Here are five strategies you can start using today to help your child become a motivated learner:
1. Learning as an opportunity
Over three decades of research has shown that there is a direct correlation between what a child thinks of her abilities and that child’s willingness to face challenges, according to Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University and a pioneer in the study of motivation in relation to achievement.
As Dweck’s extensive research with children has found, when children see their abilities as fixed and not subject to improvement, they worry that their intelligence will be questioned whenever they fail or exert too much effort to learn a skill. As a result of this “fixed mindset,” these children view challenges and mistakes as potential sources of “looking dumb,” and lose confidence and motivation when the work stops being easy.
However, children who believe that the harder they work at something, the better they’ll get at it see obstacles as opportunities to add to their skillset, not as potential blows to their self-confidence. Dweck refers to this mindset as the “growth mindset.”
Bu hikaye St Johns Parent dergisinin December 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye St Johns Parent dergisinin December 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Tips For Helping Kids Fall & Stay — Asleep
Oddly, most of our understanding of sleep comes not from knowing what happens when we sleep but from noticing what happens when we don’t.
Do's & Don'ts Of Giving Your Kids An Allowance
You can teach your kids important money management skills by giving them a regular allowance.
Legally Speaking: Wills
From the Florida Bar Pamphlet: Do You Have a Will?
Family Camping
Make a Family Vision Board for the New Year
Why Family Dinners Matter: The Science Of Eating Together
Most families find it difficult to get everyone together at the dinner table on a regular basis.
ASK THE Doctor
Introducing our new monthly feature, Ask the Doctor. Our healthcare partners will be answering your questions. To submit a question, please email editor@parentmagazineflorida.com.
Daily Expressions of Gratitude Can Boost Mental Health
It’s not uncommon to express gratitude on a day like Thanksgiving, but what should happen if we practice expressions of gratitude everyday such as keeping a daily gratitude journal?
5 Things You Can Start Doing Today To Raise A Motivated Learner
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
No More Have-To Holidays!
How To Keep Your Family Happy This Holiday Season
My Time With Santa
On the first Saturday in December, you can find Santa and some of his special elves at the St. Johns County School District’s Evelyn Hamblen Center. The day starts with more than 40 dedicated volunteers who arrive before sunrise and leave just in time for dinner with their families.