Motivation and Learning: How Can You Help?

Sanara Dissanayake | Provisional Psychologist | BA (Psych/Socio), Hons (Psych), MPsych Clinical (Candidate)

Motivation comes from the Latin root ‘motivus’, meaning ‘to move’ or ‘moving cause’. As the word suggests, motivation is the willingness or desire to put effort into or act towards accomplishing a goal. In other words, it is what moves us. When it comes to education, motivation is a key factor as it impacts how engaged and willing students are in their learning. But how can we help motivate our children?

One psychological theory of motivation is Deci and Ryan’s (2000), Self-Determination Theory which suggests that motivation can be broken into two different types:

  • Intrinsic Motivation: doing something purely for self-satisfaction, interest and joy in the task.

  • Extrinsic Motivation: completing a task when provided with external rewards or consequences.

Intrinsic Motivation Intrinsic motivation is generally considered more influential in studying as it comes from the child themself, and promotes independence, curiosity and proactiveness in their learning. But if we’re being honest, it can be a little tricky to identify intrinsic motivations to study so consider the following factors:
  • Competence: Does your child believe in themself and feel they have the ability to complete the task?

  • Control and autonomy: How much choice does your child feel they have in how they learn? How much responsibility do they feel they have for their learning?

  • Interest and value:Is your child interested in the task or do they see the value in doing it?

Extrinsic Motivation Extrinsic motivations to study such as rewards or consequences are prevalent in learning spaces and are just as important to consider. Extrinsic motivations may include praise, rewards (stickers, toys, fun dinners), and social approval but also include criticism, punishment and fear of failing grades. Research suggests that extrinsic motivations can foster intrinsic motivation, so when it comes to extrinsic motivations consider how you can make studying a more enjoyable and positive experience for your child.

How Can You Motivate Your Child?
  • Encourage your child by highlighting their strengths and celebrating small and big wins.

  • Be collaborative and flexible! Provide different options or ways of learning content and allow your child to make some choices.

  • Reword instructions with “can, may and could” rather than “must, need and should”

  • Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).

  • Get creative! With your child create a mood board or collage of your child’s values, goals and interests. Consider how learning aligns with their goals and values and talk about it.
Motivation can ebb and flow, it is natural for anyone to feel demotivated at times. When your child is going through a period of decreased motivation or is feeling a little lost, listen patiently and empathise with them. Remind them that you and their tutors are on their team and are here to help. See here how Edunite aims to motivate their students!

References Filgona, J., Sakiyo, J., Gwany, D. M., & Okoronka, A. U. (2020). Motivation in learning. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 10(4), 16-37.

Kusurkar, R. A., Croiset, G., & Ten Cate, O. T. J. (2011). Twelve tips to stimulate intrinsic motivation in students through autonomy-supportive classroom teaching derived from self-determination theory. Medical teacher, 33(12), 978-982.

Petri, H. L., & Cofer, C. N. (2024, September 26). Motivation. Britannica.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.

Wang, C. J., Liu, W. C., Kee, Y. H., & Chian, L. K. (2019). Competence, autonomy, and relatedness in the classroom: understanding students’ motivational processes using the self-determination theory. Heliyon, 5(7).