Positive ReinforcementPositive reinforcement is often underestimated by many parents and professionals when...read on...Topics > Academic Motivation
Understanding
Updated on Friday, October 05, 2007
Labeling a child as “unmotivated” makes what could be a small stumbling block, seem like a colossal roadblock. It is no wonder that parents and educators both feel incredibly overwhelmed and helpless when dealing with a child who “lacks motivation,” for their description of the behavior does not offer insight into the real issues at hand. It is important to assess the meaning of “unmotivated” for not only does that definition differ from one person to the next, it does not describe a behavior that can be observed or changed.
The behavior analyst’s first step to assessing a child’s lack of motivation is to accurately define the behaviors that comprise it. For example, “unmotivated” would be defined as "request refusal to get out of bed when asked by mom within 2 minutes of demand being placed in the morning before school." Defining the behavior in terms that are observable and measurable allow the analyst to set attainable short and long term goals. Use the following questions to help you define your child’s “lack of motivation.”
- What does the behavior typically look like? (i.e. Mike does not turn in at least 3 of 5 Math homwork worksheets weekly)
- What does the behavior not look like? (i.e. This does not occur with Spanish, English, and History)
- Where does the behavior typically occur? (i.e. School)
- When does the behavior typically occur? (i.e. Math Class)
- With whom does the behavior typically occur? (i.e. Mrs. Perez the Math Teacher)
- When is the behavior most likely to occur? (i.e. When given a math worksheet for homework)
- When is the behavior most likely NOT to occur? (i.e. When only given Math homework and when due on a Tuesday)
