MOTIVATE YOUR CHILD TO LEARN

Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors of the world was an intrinsically motivated person. He never completed his formal schooling. He could never get along with his teachers and other students. So he discontinued studies. He had only four years of formal schooling. But he taught himself,  physics and chemistry books and the Bible. He set up a small laboratory. He faced plenty of financial problems, yet he never gave up. He continued to carry out thousands of experiments. He became one of the best scientists due ,self-motivation.

Motivation is an inner urge to do something or to achieve something. The individual keeps on trying till he achieves his goal. The mind, heart, hand and whole person is involved when one is motivated to achieve something. He never gives up till he achieves it. A boy who learns bicycle loses balance and falls the initial time but he never gives up, till he learns it. Take for example, the athletes of world ranking. Their self- motivation helped in their perseverance to achieve what they wanted in their respective field.

Motivation is classified into intrinsic motivation or self- motivation and artificial motivation.

• Intrinsic motivation or self-motivation is the mental determination and will to achieve what the individual wants. Intrinsically motivated persons determine the  goals and act strongly to achieve them. The individual finds interest within activity and he derives pleasure from doing it, just like Thomas Edison who kept on doing the experiments and enjoyed doing them. While in the extrinsic ion the individual does the work in order to get an external reward. For some children study very hard in order to get a reward from the parents.
• Intrinsic motivation or self-motivation, as a source of spontaneous inspiration stimulation brings better results, especially in the field of teaching and learning Therefore, it is always better to make use of the intrinsic or self-motivation.
• Intrinsic motivation or self- motivation can be cultivated through believing in one self's able because they think they are able. 'Virgil.'
• Through resolute self-confidence
• Making a list of goals in one's life and arranging them in order of priority and Setting a date to reach them.
• Listing the steps one must take to reach one's goals.
• Listing the qualities one needs to achieve them.
• Identifying the qualities one lacks to achieve these goals.
• A very positive attitude and approach in life.
• Overcoming the negative qualities through constructive means. Totally focused and committed to one's goals.
• Willing to face any obstacle to achieve one's goals.

Intrinsic motivation or self-motivation is the best for children in the learning process. Yet every teacher at one time or the other is faced with the problem of motivating his students to learn. In such a situation, the teachers and parents may use certain methods of extrinsic or artificial motivation in order to motivate the children to learn.

How to motivate children

• Encouraging self-confidence and positive attitude.
• using child centered approach.
• setting definite purposes and goals.
• using effective methods by teachers.
• Linking the new knowledge with the past experience and learning.
• using rewards and praise.
• acquainting them with the results and progress they have made.
• using self-motivation graphs.
• encouraging healthy competition (the learner competes, with his own pastrecord).
• encouraging co-operation, team spirit and co-operative learning.
• providing enough opportunities for independent learning and ego involvement.
• Having appropriate learning situation and congenial atmosphere.
• Stimulate them mentally, socially and morally, they will develop many virtues for a group and community living as mentioned above.