Motivating Children in School: Effective Rewards and Intrinsic Motivation

No reward is as effective as the occasional parental well done. In this article, we will explore the importance of intrinsic motivation and the best practices for using rewards to motivate children in school. We will also discuss examples of rewards that parents can use, supported by experiences from a retired teacher who often babysits and tutors children.

Understanding Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation refers to the internal drive to engage in an activity for the sake of enjoyment or personal satisfaction. In contrast, extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards, such as praise or tangible rewards like toys or money. Research shows that intrinsic motivation is more effective in the long term, fostering a love of learning and better academic performance.

Intrinsic motivation is far better than extrinsic motivation and you will get the best results if you can communicate to your child the love of learning. And the second best results if you can communicate to him ambition.

Engaging with Academic Subjects

Many academic subjects, like science and history, can be made interesting by connecting them to real-world experiences. For instance, a child might willingly go to a castle to learn about history or ask for a chemistry set for Christmas. A good father's role is to provide support and gently guide the child, not enforcing strict discipline.

Children will ask to go round the castle with the guide. They will ask for a chemistry set for Christmas. And as the father your job is to provide and to gently guide but not force.

Effective Reward Systems

One effective way to motivate children is to use reward systems that encourage positive behavior and academic performance. For example, a friend of a retired teacher uses a sticker system where children earn stickers for having a good day at school. By the end of the month, if they have at least ten stickers, they can choose a reward from a variety of experiences such as going to the local arcade, zoo, trampoline/skateboard park, or skating rink.

One thing that my cousin has always done with her kids is to reward them with experiences. They love to go to the local arcade, zoo, trampoline/skateboard park, skating rink, etc. At the beginning of the month she lets them decide which place they want to go to and then each day they get a sticker for having a good day at school. By the end of the month they must have at least ten stickers to earn the rewards.

Choosing Appropriate Rewards

The best rewards are those chosen by the child, as they are most likely to engage and motivate them. Parents should consider the child's interests and what they value. For example, a young child may be rewarded every 3 days, while an older child may be rewarded each week. It's important to set reasonable expectations and remember that the reward should be something that can be achieved with effort, but not impossible.

The best rewards are ones that the child chooses. Ask your child what he/ she would like. Be sure it’s something that you can do or provide.

Conclusion

In summary, effective motivation in children comes from a combination of intrinsic motivation, a parental emphasis on the joy of learning, and well-structured reward systems. By understanding and implementing these strategies, parents can help their children develop a love for learning and achieve academic success.