Developing Self-Motivation
by Teresa, The CuteKid™ Staff
Being self-motivated is essential to succeeding in school and in life. Those who aren’t self-motivated find themselves soon left behind. Developing
Self Motivation means that you believe that you can succeed even when others may say you cannot. Continuing on even when you would really like to
quit. Children who are self-motivated will be more likely to complete their schoolwork, try out for new things, and not give up when things are
hard. Being self-motivated means that you have internal goals that you want to reach and reasons for doing things.
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Here are a few ideas that you can use to help
in developing self motivation in children and help
them remain self-motivated.
Play sports.
Playing sports is not easy. You have to keep trying and practicing in order
to be successful. Sports can help children develop self-motivation as they
work to better themselves.
Start a business.
Help your child figure out a way that they can make money by
starting their own business. Businesses that children can run
include babysitting, mowing lawns, tutoring, or walking pets. Work together
to design a flyer to pass out. Discuss the responsibilities involved with
working as well as the rewards.
Set goals.
Setting and achieving goals teaches children they can
succeed. Try having your child write down a goal, such
as getting a certain grade, reading a certain number of
pages, being able to make a basket, etc. Then include the
steps that your child would need to make to achieve that
goal and a date for completion of each step. Post the
paper where it can be seen. Then have your child track
their progress. When your child reaches their goal reward them.
Teach, “I think I can.”
The Little Engine that could is a great example of being
self-motivated. Although all the odds were against him
he believed in himself and succeeded. Share the story with
your child and make your family motto, “I think I can.” Remind
your child that just like the train he do whatever he thinks
he can. This also helps in developing positive attitude in children.
Giving choices.
The more choices your child has and control over their
own life the more motivated they are going to feel to
help out and do the things you want them to do. Motivational
speaker Fran Kick says when opportunities are given for
children “to participate actively in making choices, they
see themselves as a more active member of the group. Their
sense of autonomy, commitment, drive, cooperation and desire
all increase – internally.”
Your job as a parent is to help create an environment where
your child will want to develop self-motivation. As
parents “our job is to facilitate learning by establishing
the conditions and coordinating the resources” then allowing
children to decide for themselves.
Do you have a cute child picture to share? Submit it to our
baby photo contest and your baby could be the next CuteKid™ contest winner.
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