From ‘I Can’t’ to ‘I can!’: 3 tips to Inspire Self-Motivation in Kids
- Monica Sood
- Nov 15, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 2, 2025
Children are naturally curious, driven by an innate desire to explore the world around them. From their earliest days, their minds are eager to absorb, learn, and engage. Yet, as they grow, some children begin to view learning—particularly academic learning—as a daunting task, while others thrive, driven by self-motivation and a love of discovery. What causes this divide? And how can we, as mentors, parents, and educators, help every child tap into their innate motivation to learn?
Having worked with hundreds of children, helping them express themselves through writing, I’ve observed that every child is intrinsically motivated—driven by curiosity, imagination, and the desire to express themselves. All they need is a safe, supportive space where their ideas are valued and their creativity is encouraged. When children feel heard and free from judgment, their natural motivation flourishes, allowing them to confidently explore, create, and grow.
Our creative writing sessions always begin with a simple yet impactful exercise—one that helps children recognise their unique strengths and see themselves as storytellers. Whether it's creating an acrostic poem with their name or designing a character that mirrors their traits, these activities foster a safe, non-judgmental space for self-reflection. Since most protagonists in their stories are reflections of themselves, this exercise helps children connect with their unique strengths—both those they possess and those they aspire to develop. It also offers us a chance to peep into their inner world, understanding their thoughts, dreams, and evolving sense of self.
I am sharing below three easy, actionable strategies that can infuse motivation in children and help them find joy and purpose in learning.
1. Help Children Recognise Their Inner Strengths
It starts with meaningful, daily conversations. Talk with your child about their day, focusing on moments when they demonstrated a unique strength—like helping a friend, tackling a challenge creatively, or showing kindness. Even a small note in their lunchbox, like “You are loved,” can have a big impact on their self-worth. These positive reflections enable children to recognise their unique qualities, helping them build a foundation of self-belief.
Effective praise can transform a child’s mindset. Instead of focusing solely on achievements, recognise the effort and strategies they used. Avoid comparisons with others; instead, highlight their growth by comparing their present skills to past efforts. This approach builds intrinsic motivation, helping children see learning as a journey rather than a competition. It also encourages them to appreciate progress over perfection, fostering a positive attitude towards challenges.
2. Debunk Myths About Intelligence and Talent
Help children understand that intelligence isn’t fixed. Explain that skills and knowledge grow through effort and resilience, not innate talent alone. Studies confirm that children who view intelligence as malleable are more likely to take on challenges and remain motivated, even when things get tough. So how do we get this message across in a way that sticks? Stories. Gifting them inspiring memoirs of remarkable people can strengthen and reaffirm your teachings. Stories of real people overcoming challenges, pursuing their dreams, and making a difference in the world serve as living examples of the very lessons we strive to teach.
When children read about someone’s real-life struggles and triumphs, they don’t just learn facts—they find a role model, a life lesson, and a spark of motivation that can last a lifetime.
3. Make Learning Engaging and Memorable
I believe learning should be just as fun as it is educational. Kids absorb information so much better when they're actively engaged, not just sitting and memorising. That’s why adding humour, storytelling, and group activities into learning sessions can make a huge difference. Games and hands-on projects don’t just make lessons more enjoyable—they also help kids form strong, positive connections with new concepts, making them easier to remember.
To bring this idea to life, I created Seven Weeks, Seven Techniques, a workbook designed to make vocabulary learning exciting. It’s packed with fun, interactive activities that turn learning new words into an enjoyable experience rather than a chore. Undoubtedy, when learning feels like play, motivation thrives, confidence grows, and knowledge sticks for a lifetime.
In today’s fast-paced world, children face an unprecedented level of pressure to excel academically and socially. At the same time, they are exposed to a constant influx of external influences that can impact their self-identity. Helping them cultivate self-motivation and confidence is crucial not only for their academic success but for their lifelong sense of fulfilment and purpose. By focusing on their inner strengths and promoting intrinsic motivation, we can equip children to achieve remarkable success both in the classroom and beyond.
Through meaningful conversations, effective praise, myth-busting around intelligence, and engaging learning activities, we can help children reconnect with their love of learning. As a mentor, seeing children embrace their voices and strengths with excitement and pride reminds me that a little encouragement goes a long way in setting them on a path to thrive.
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