Sometimes moms and dads do not understand why their children do not want to study, go to interesting circles and in general be active, to strive for something. It turns out that they simply have no motivation. Of course, you need to know how to motivate a child. But it is equally important to remember what are the "destroyers" of motivation. So, here are the top 10 destroyers of motivation.
1. Awards. As strange as it may sound, rewards can also be detrimental to intrinsic motivation. Parents often suggest that children do something just to get a "reward" - money for pocket money, watching cartoons, toys, etc. As a result, the child acts only to get the reward.
2. Penalties. They demotivate and lead to the fact that the child does something only to avoid punishment. But the inner motivation disappears.
3. Blackmail and threats. Just as punishment can cause fear, which actually takes the place of that very motivation.
4. There is no purpose and no meaning. Children just like their parents don't like to do anything they don't see the point of. Otherwise there is a sense of wasted time, anger and frustration.
5. A confusing assignment. It's not easy to do something you can't understand. But if you understand the essence of the task, it is not difficult to do it.
6. Pressure. Hurry, coercion, threats, competition and blackmail always work in a demotivating way.
7. Guilt. It is demotivating as there is nothing you can do about it.
8. Unfair behavior towards a child. Example - an adult may be tired or in a bad mood, but children should always be in great physical shape and cheerful, upbeat.
9. No understanding or empathy. Children, like adults, have their weaknesses and limitations. There are times when a child does not want to do something not because of laziness, but because of poor health, stress.
10. Destruction of self-esteem. For example, comparing with other children and even ridiculing, ignoring the child's interests.