Correct Answer - Option 3 : Experience success
Children learn persistence when they are successful at a challenging task. The art in building persistence is in offering a task that is just challenging enough, but not overwhelming. Choice of the challenge is another characteristic of motivation.
- A highly motivated child will stay involved for a long period of time, whereas an unmotivated child will give up very easily when not instantly successful.
- Children who experience success in meeting one challenge will become motivated, welcoming another.
- So, experiencing success can motivate a child to continue the activity.
- These motivated learners will choose an activity that is slightly difficult for them but provides an appropriate challenge.
- When they successfully complete such a task, children gain a high level of satisfaction.
- Unmotivated children (those who have not experienced early success) will pick something that is very easy and ensures an instant success.
- With such easy success, children feel only a very low level of satisfaction, because they know that the task offered little challenge.
- The challenge for teachers is helping the child find an appropriate challenge while still allowing the choice to be the children.
- The amount of dependency on adults is another indicator of motivation.
- Children with strong intrinsic motivation do not need an adult constantly watching and helping with activities.
- Children who have a lower level of motivation or are extrinsically motivated need constant attention from adults and cannot function independently.
- Since independence is an important aspect of quality learning, this dependence on adults will greatly limit children’s ability to succeed in school.
- Parents can increase the likelihood of their child’s building independent motivation by providing toys and activities that play to the child’s natural creativity and curiosity.
- Often, these are the simplest, most basic playthings: blocks, little plastic “people,” a toy car or two, and crayons and paper.
- These things encourage children to invent their own worlds rather than depending on an adult to entertain them.
- The last indicator of motivational level is emotion. Children who are clearly motivated will have a positive display of emotion.
- They are satisfied with their work and show more enjoyment in the activity. Children without appropriate motivation will appear quiet, sullen and bored.
- They will not take any apparent pleasure in their activity and will often complain.
Hence, experiencing success can motivate a child to continue the activity.