Most students start first grade highly motivated. They are eager to learn and ready to learn. But time and again, this motivation to learn ebbs away after just a few years. This is fatal, because learning success increases above all when students are motivated to learn. Why is that?
While young children still absorb everything new, proudly talk about their new discoveries and can hardly wait for the first day of school, according to psychological studies, this eagerness begins to wane at puberty at the latest, but usually by the time they move on to secondary school. While half of first-graders still consistently enjoy learning, only six percent of 13-year-olds still do. This is the result of a study by scoyo and ZEIT LEO.
It gets to the heart of the problem: The school system, which is supposed to motivate learning, usually has the opposite effect. Good grades as the measure of all things and the need to achieve a high level of education create pressure on children, parents and teachers to succeed. G8 and PISA play their part.
As a result, the children’s natural and innate thirst for knowledge is often replaced by learning pain, a frustration that the students increasingly experience physically. Learning avoidance strategies are devised, learning takes on a negative connotation, creates pressure or even anxiety.
Parents feel a responsibility to motivate their children to learn, but are often at a loss or simply don’t have the time.
Can students learn motivation? Guide to learning motivation
Daniel Bialecki, CEO of scoyo, has been working with creative methods of imparting knowledge for more than twelve years and knows that the reasons for students’ declining motivation to learn are complex, but solvable:
“Children and young people particularly enjoy learning and are highly motivated when they want to understand learning content from an inner drive. They only really like to do well what they are really interested in,” says the family father.
For learning researchers, this so-called intrinsic motivation creates the ideal conditions for learning. It’s also the reason why students can only learn motivation to a limited extent – genuine interest and enthusiasm are much more important.
In everyday school life, however, these insights can hardly be implemented. Due to the tight schedule, teachers lack the time to devote to each student individually. Thus, extrinsic motivation through rewards and grades comes to the fore. In the long run, this weakens the intrinsic drive of many students.
Generally, learning works through extrinsic and intrinsic motivational aspects. The relationship between the components is critical. Intrinsic motivation should play the greater role in learning.
How can parents help motivate their children to learn, even beyond the first years of elementary school?
Parents can only motivate if they themselves are motivated. First and foremost, they are the most important caregivers for their children. If they take over the tasks of tutors, conflicts can quickly arise. Nevertheless, they can do a lot to motivate learning. scoyo Managing Director Daniel Bialecki reveals the best tips.
10 tips for parents: How can I motivate my child to learn in the long term?
The most important piece of advice is to study the list of ccss 3rd grade ela.
Tip 1: Create a good learning environment
When people feel good, they are more motivated to learn new things and tackle things. It’s not just children who feel this way. Start the day well by scheduling time together for a delicious and healthy breakfast. It makes you fit. Eating healthy at school, getting enough sleep and exercise, having a tidy workspace and a quiet learning environment all help to keep you focused.
Tip 2: Find the right incentives
Formulate goals that your child finds so great that he or she can motivate themselves to learn, e.g., “If you’re good at biology, you have a chance to become a veterinarian.” And a future language vacation may convince your child that learning vocabulary isn’t so boring after all.
Tip 3: Try not to make school the main topic in the family.
Home should, above all, be a safe haven where kids can relax and recover from the school day. If your child is feeling stressed, what they need most is distraction and enjoyable experiences. Are you concerned or want to know more about your child’s school day? Showing interest is always good. It is best to ask at a good moment. If asking directly doesn’t elicit much from your offspring, you can also try to steer the conversation toward the nice things about everyday school life, such as sports, recess activities, a particularly beloved subject, or friends. When children talk about positive experiences, sometimes the not-so-great things also bubble up.
Tip 4: Take a breath once, twice. At least!
Enough breaks between learning sessions are very important, preferably before your head starts to buzz. A little movement and a sip of water can help. So the learning material can settle better. If there is still enough time for friends and hobbies, the school-life balance is in balance – and the motivation to learn increases.
Tip 5: Encourage self-determination
Does your child have a favorite place to study or is more focused in the evening than after school? Great! Leave it up to your child to decide how to achieve his or her own learning goals. This provides additional motivation and boosts self-confidence.
And don’t forget about https://argoprep.com/ccss/3rd-grade-ela-common-core-state-standards/.
