How to Motivate Kids to Learn

Get your whole class to volunteer.

It can be difficult to motivate kids. After all, many of them already think they know everything. When approaching kids with information that is new to them, it's important to let them in on information the way you would share it with an adult. You may need to break down information for kids to be able to process it, but skip the part where you emphasize how little they know or talk down to them. Focus on letting kids know how information is useful to them, and they will be more interested and engaged in the lesson.

Instructions

1. Choose a specific lesson plan. It's not enough to say that you want to teach kids about the economy. It would be daunting, even for a group of adults, to learn about "the economy." Narrow down each lesson to answering one basic question or statement. For instance, in an economics or life skills class, one lesson might be "How to balance a checkbook."

2. Give an overview. Don't make your kids open a book or resource blindly. Let them know exactly what will be covered, but briefly and to the point.

3. Tell your students "why" they are learning the lesson that they are. With some lessons, this is more difficult, but students will be more motivated when there is a clear incentive. For instance, students need to learn how to balance a checkbook in order to do fun things like make purchases and manage all the money they earn. Giving kids a reason builds their interest and makes them more likely to read material thoroughly instead of only scanning pages.

4. Get interactive. Don't just assume that kids understand a concept from reading a chapter. Open up the floor for questions, and hold a brief discussion. Ask children what they can use their new skill for.

5. Use practical application whenever possible. Let students demonstrate their new skills to solidify them and to feel a sense of accomplishment for their hard work. Students who have learned how to balance a checkbook might create a budget to see what it's like to manage money.

Tips & Warnings

• Focus on individual achievement. Competition can be a healthy learning tool, but kids will find more motivation when they feel that they are learning for themselves instead of learning in order to be better than their classmates.

References

• UWW: Motivating Students
• Tools for Teaching: Motivating Students