Montessori is built on intrinsic motivation. The method takes into consideration key parts of development and allows children plenty of time to discover their passions and interests. In other words, children in a Montessori school have freedom within limits to explore as they wish. The end result is students who are driven by the love to learn.
Looking to take on a Montessori approach to building intrinsic motivation at home? Today you will learn everything you need to know.
What is Intrinsic Motivation?
Motivation and discipline are closely interlinked. For intrinsic motivation, it is the kind of action that is prompted within an individual without any external stimulus. In a Montessori classroom, children are not rewarded for a deed done. They are instead supported in their efforts and provided challenges throughout the day. Children learn to do things for themselves, and that helps drive their independence and intrinsic motivation.
Nurturing intrinsic motivation is healthier than teaching your child that for every action comes a reward. It’s not realistic to tempt children to take out the garbage for a treat, for example, because they start to believe that everything they do should offer something in return.
When you are intrinsically motivated, the reward is doing an activity and doing it well.
How to Build Intrinsic Motivation at Home
There are many ways to work on internal motivation at home, regardless of your child’s age. Here are some of the best ways:
Working With The Environment
- Create a nurturing home environment. The Prepared Environment is more than organized shelves and child-sized furniture; it’s an environment that gives a child the capabilities to do things on their own. When a child can complete a task without needing any assistance, they feel driven to do it on their own again and again.
- Give your child opportunities to be independent. Let them clean up on their own or pour their own glass of orange juice, for example.
- Provide choices. At home, you should have ways to give your child the power of choice. Will they use the red plates or blue ones? Do they want to work on a math activity or a literature-based one? Would they rather garden or cook? Autonomy is the first spark of intrinsic motivation.
- Encourage community service. Give your child a chance to volunteer around the house and with others, so they can see the impact of their diligence.
- Demonstrate the correct way to complete a task then let your child try it out for themselves. Do not interrupt them unless they ask.
Developing Respect and Discipline
- Be patient with your child. One day, they may tell you they don’t want to do something. Respect their boundaries, and they will respect yours.
- Give them clear expectations, so they can feel a sense of accomplishment when they achieve the goal.
- Avoid offering external motivations, such as rewards and punishments.
- Discuss accomplishments and struggles. Sharing your difficulties as well as successes teaches children that it’s okay to make mistakes and start over. They also learn how to chart their progress along the way.
- Give your child authentic feedback.
- Work together on goals. For example, have your child help you cook dinner or clean the house.
- Provide tasks that visually show improvement, such as weeding a garden or growing a tomato plant.
- Let your child work at their own pace. This allows them to concentrate, practice and master a new skill.
Offer Encouragement and Help When Necessary
Sometimes parents fall into the trap of helping the child with everything. This feels like the natural route, because children often seem so helpless. However, when you give your child autonomy to live and learn at their own pace, you are giving them space to also ask for help when they want it.
Rather than trying to control the moment or rush your child along, it is better to offer them a choice. For instance, if you are leaving the school, and you need your child to put on their jacket, it is better to say, “Would you like me to help you put on your jacket or can you do it yourself? It’s cold outside.”
Offering a choice means that you respect that your child has her own opinions and agency. Providing a chance for support also shows your child that you can work together.
Recognize The Disobedience is Part of Intrinsic Motivation
One day, you might see your child doing everything on their own or doing whatever you ask of them. The next day they might refuse. Disobedience isn’t an attempt to challenge you and make you upset. Children are independent people who may not always be motivated to do things. You have to recognize that it is part of natural development. Again, do not rush them or force them into action, as this can counteract the other lessons in intrinsic motivation.
Final Thoughts on Intrinsic Motivation
When it comes to the Montessori approach to building intrinsic motivation, it all begins with an open and accepting environment. Provide your child with a place where they can exercise their own independence, and you will have someone who is motivated to do things on their own.
Looking to enroll your child in a Montessori school in Philadelphia? Fishtown Montessori has multiple programs for younger children that teach more than intrinsic motivation. We are a nurturing community full of smiling faces. See what makes us different by scheduling a tour today.
