If you're unfamiliar with the CASEL framework, we highly recommend reading this article first, as it will greatly enhance your understanding of soft skills.
Check it out here.
Introduction to Motivation:
Motivation is the inner drive and enthusiasm to achieve goals and take action, and it’s crucial from childhood to adulthood. Motivation plays a vital role in cases like completing assignments, maintaining healthy habits, picking up new skills or hobbies, and pursuing career advancement. It's a fundamental skill that fosters resilience, innovation, and personal fulfillment, making it essential for success in an ever-changing world. Cultivating and sustaining motivation from an early age lays the foundation for lifelong achievement and happiness.
Core Area of Competence:
Motivation is found in the following core area of competence, and more specifically under a core behavior of the area:
Self-Management: Set, monitor, adapt, achieve and evaluate goals.
Core Behaviors that require Motivation:
Motivation is manifested differently in each age group:
6-8 Years:
Self-Management:
Setting Goals: Children demonstrate motivation by setting goals, such as completing a puzzle or finishing a book.
Example: A 7-year-old sets a goal to finish reading a book.
Identifying Rewards: They find personal incentives to stay motivated, like earning stickers for chores or playtime for completing homework.
Example: A 6-year-old cleans their room first to earn extra playtime with their favorite toy.
9-11 Years:
Self-Management:
Diverse Goals: Children of this age show motivation by setting goals in different areas, from academics to hobbies.
Example: A 10-year-old sets goals to improve grades, learn an instrument, and make new friends.
Implementing Plans: They create action plans and take proactive steps to achieve their goals.
Example: An 11-year-old researches skateboarding techniques online to master new tricks.
12-14 Years:
Self-Management:
Linking Goals to Success: Teens understand how achieving goals contributes to academic and personal success.
Example: A 13-year-old studies harder to improve grades and secure better opportunities.
Progress Monitoring: They track their progress and adjust plans accordingly.
Example: A 14-year-old journals daily exercise routines to achieve fitness goals.
15-17 Years:
Self-Management:
Long-Term Goal Tracking: Older teens track progress towards future aspirations, like college admissions.
Example: A 17-year-old studying hard for the final exams, seeking scholarships, and envisioning future success.
Strategic Planning: They develop plans connecting current goals to long-term objectives.
Example: A 17-year-old creates a strategic plan for medical school admission, excelling academically and gaining relevant experiences.
Promoting the Soft Skill:
For Parents and Care Givers:
Discover the ideal curriculum for your children on our platform, tailored to meet your unique learning needs and preferences.
Create a Visual Progress Tracker: Use charts, stickers, or a visual progress tracker to visually represent your child's progress towards their goals. This can help them stay motivated and track their achievements over time.
Set SMART Goals Together: Work with your child to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals that are realistic and aligned with their interests and abilities. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps to make them more attainable.
Provide Opportunities for Choice: Offer your child opportunities to make choices and decisions about their activities, interests, and goals. This encourages autonomy and empowers them to take ownership of their learning and development.
For Tutors:
Student-Led Discussions: Facilitate student-led discussions where students take turns leading discussions on topics of interest or relevance to the subject matter. Encourage them to research, prepare, and present their ideas to their peers, promoting leadership skills and intrinsic motivation.
Learning Challenges or Competitions: Organize learning challenges or competitions where students can showcase their knowledge, skills, and creativity. Offer incentives or rewards for participation and achievement, such as certificates, prizes, or recognition, to motivate students to excel and strive for success.
Real-World Applications: Integrate real-world applications and examples into tutoring sessions to demonstrate the relevance and importance of the subject matter. Help students connect abstract concepts to practical situations they may encounter in their daily lives or future careers, enhancing their motivation and engagement.
Feedback and Reflection:
During individual goal-setting sessions, provide feedback on the clarity and feasibility of learners' objectives. Help them refine their goals to make them more specific, measurable, and achievable. Encourage reflection by asking, "How does this goal align with your personal interests and aspirations? What steps can you take to maintain motivation and momentum towards achieving it?”
When learners encounter challenges or setbacks in pursuit of their goals, offer feedback on their efforts and perseverance. Acknowledge their progress and highlight areas where they have shown resilience and determination. Encourage reflection by asking, "How did you stay motivated despite facing obstacles? What strategies did you find helpful, and how can you apply them in future situations?”
During self-assessment exercises, provide feedback on learners' self-awareness and self-evaluation skills. Help them recognize their strengths and areas for improvement, and encourage them to set new goals based on their reflections. Encourage reflection by asking, "What aspects of your performance are you most proud of? How can you leverage your strengths to overcome challenges and stay motivated in your learning journey?”
During group projects or collaborative activities, observe how learners contribute to the team's efforts and support their peers. Offer feedback on their cooperation, communication, and willingness to take initiative. Encourage reflection by asking, "How did your contributions contribute to the group's success? What strategies can you use to motivate and inspire your teammates?”
Additional Resources:
Read “Motivating Yourself” on MindTools.
You can find a series of worksheets, exercises, and activities on motivation on PositivePsychology.com.
Take the test to see “How self-motivated you are”.
Watch “How to get motivated even when you don’t feel like it” by TED-Ed.
Check out the Self-Determination Theory of Motivation.
Conclusion:
In summary, motivation is a crucial skill that drives individuals to achieve their goals and grow personally. Developing this skill is vital for overcoming challenges and staying focused on objectives. Parents and tutors play key roles in supporting skill development by providing guidance and establishing an environment conducive to learning. Encouraging active participation in nurturing motivation fosters resilience and a commitment to improvement. Overall, fostering motivation is essential for individual success and cultivates a culture of achievement in different learning settings.
References:
Frye, K. E., Boss, D. L., Anthony, C. J., Du, H., & Xing, W. (2022). Content analysis of the Casel framework using K–12 state SEL Standards. School Psychology Review, 1–15. doi:10.1080/2372966x.2022.2030193
Frymier, A. B., & Shulman, G. M. (1995). “what’s in it for me?”: Increasing content relevance to enhance students’ motivation. Communication Education, 44(1), 40–50. doi:10.1080/03634529509378996
Seifert, T. (2004). Understanding student motivation. Educational Research, 46(2), 137–149. doi:10.1080/0013188042000222421
Sak, R., Kızılok, G. E., Deniz, M. D., Kancınar, F., & Sullıvan, V. (2021). Motivation Strategies Used by Parents for Their Children in Different Levels of Education. International Journal of Educational Researchers (IJERs), 12(3).
Lai, E. R. (2011). Motivation: A literature review. Person Research’s Report, 6, 40-41.