Finding Motivation To Learn
I consider myself a ‘life long learner’. It excites me when I can sit down with a subject I’m interested in and just study it for a while. Even note-taking can cause a level of satisfaction, even when I don’t have a clue if I’ll ever necessarily use the information, other than for the sheer joy of being interested and learning it!
However, when I find myself with a topic in front of me in which I have no interest, staying focused is almost impossible! I struggle with what I’m reading, with the explanations, even the graphs and pictures inserted so as to help understanding. Staying motivated to pick up the material again to study further just…..doesn’t happen.
LACK OF INTEREST MAKES LEARNING HARD
When I think of my own lack of discipline when I’m not genuinely interested in a subject, I’m drawn into what it must be like for a child who is learning about things, where genuine interest is almost non-existent. This is perhaps even more so for the child with a disability, whether it be autism or other intellectual inabilities.
Further, learning can become even more cumbersome when a child begins comparing himself to others; or when others compare his learning with theirs and verbalizes what they consider inadequacies. Comparison from either side steals joy, and is so unhelpful! And, it creates an emotional fatigue and kills momentum.
INCREASING SUCCESS
Studies have shown when we learn out of curiosity, interest and self-determination, we are more likely to have success. When the learning is derived from a sense of satisfaction from an activity related to a subject, we will likely display a higher sense of accomplishment. These finding are also true for the child with a disability.
In fact not only is this finding relevant, but others have found, that some students can actually learn to motivate themselves in the face of academic challenges, as they learn about themselves through their academic journey.
KEEP MOTIVATION HIGH
Keeping motivation high is key, however. Many children need a giant boost in self-esteem to keep them trying; especially when something new is attempted. One key component is to make sure recognition is prevalent, even when their progress seems limited and extremely gradual.
Some educators promote reward charts; or even token reinforcement But one of the higher challenges for teachers is to have a great desire to make sure learning is fun. Creating an environment which includes trivia games, a singing game, memory challenges or even a trip outdoors to examine nature up close and personal, can make learning a motivational experience.
Including art projects related to an ongoing study, or research via the internet (like Pinterest or Cosmos), or a movie or other platform which encourages learning in a non-traditional way, can also, be very useful.
Other children can learn and stay motivated through self-expression and opportunities which promotes play therapy. Allowing them to help choose the activity, increases success. One example of learning through expression is music therapy, which can aid in social interaction and ways to adjust to sensory stimulation.
ALL CHILDREN CAN LEARN
All children can learn, even those with diverse needs, when instructional designs include a variety of options in ways to learn. When teachers have autonomy over their classrooms, which enable to them help the students ‘where they are’, and using their interests as springboards, the success of the students will increase. Certainly more research is needed to enhance what has already been shown to aid in teaching, but a good dose of positivity is always a great place to begin!