Motivation - How This Mother Helps Kids Avoid Frustration by Building a Scaffolding

Motivation is easier when you build a scaffolding under kids. No, not a wooden scaffolding, a learning scaffolding. Read on to find out how this mother and teacher helps her young child.

Parenting Tips for Motivating Kids from a Mother and Teacher

"My daughter gives up on some things too...things that are behond her ability. As a teacher I learned and have to remember with my 4-year-old, that kids need scaffolding.

That means for certain tasks they need support and they do best by being helped just enough. Let the tension build a little (that's how they get motivated to solve a problem) but help before the frustration builds up too much.

For example, my daughter is not great at puzzles. If I just tell her to play with the puzzle (beyond her abilities), it's too much for her. She needs the support of having the steps repeated to her...turn the pieces over, work on the edges or a specific part of the picture, look for colors, etc.

In other words, it needs to be broken down into doable steps. Staying positive with all of it is important.

I always acknowledge to my daughter that some things are tricky and not always easy for a little girl and she accepts that...but doesn't transfer that to ALL she does. Good Luck.

I understand how frustrating it can be to just watch them give up...but they need us to not give up on trying to reach them and figure out WHY they are giving up." -from Ashley F.

I Like the Scaffolding Metaphor for Motivating Kids Because:

We need to give kids support when learning new or difficult things. Support means doing just enough for a little motivating tension but not too much. We must break down learning into doable steps. (e.i. the puzzle steps). We acknowledge things can be tricky. We stay positive throughout the learning.

We need to understand why our child is giving up. Is it because the scaffolding is not strong enough? Did we skip some doable steps?

What Do You Think of Ashley's Motivation Tips for Parents?

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