It is important for children to develop “intrinsic motivation” such as having fun while studying and finding goals. So what kind of children have a high level of “intrinsic motivation” and tend to perform better?
According to the 2019 research project “Scientific Research on Motivation to Learn” by Tohoku University’s Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC) and the Sendai City Board of Education, elementary school children who showed that they have dreams and goals worked harder to expand their future possibilities by studying and showing very good academic results.
Conversely, a study of the project’s “Motivation Patterns and Learning Outcomes” found that those who felt “strongly left-out” did not perform well academically, resulting in poorer performance as compared to those who are just “lazy”. The feeling of being forgotten (extrinsic motivation) negatively affects any improvement in academic ability.
Parents tend to look only at their children’s academic results and tend to just say “study.” But that alone is not enough for children to develop an “intrinsic motivation” to work hard towards their future dreams and goals.
Survey results also showed that for those with lower grades, it is important to listen carefully to what they want for their future; and for those with higher grades, it is important to discuss their specific career paths, knowledge, and skills needed to fulfill their dreams. It can also be said that having lots of dialogue at home can fosters children’s “awareness of purpose” and “inquiry” to naturally cultivate “intrinsic motivation”.
In addition, to improve children’s grades, it is imperative that parents maintain a nourishing environment by providing a well-balanced diet (such as a good breakfast) and for children to get proper sleep. The research also showed that children who have good lifestyles and good human relationships, such as parent-child and friend relationships, have higher academic ability. Thus, supporting the “living environment” together with academic ability is crucial to nurture “intrinsic motivation”.