The Myth of Motivation

 

One key problem for your homework trapped child is that he is being misperceived as having a motivational or behavioral problem. He has an under the radar learning disorder, which is probably not severe enough to warrant special education.  Your child belongs in regular classes and has the potential to excel academically. It would not be surprising if you have been told that “He’s so bright. He could do so well if he just tried harder.”   This is a misconception that is him great hardship. The truth is that your child can learn, and is more capable of success at school than he is at home, considering these two major differences between home and school:

1. The school day starts and stops by the clock, whereas homework must be worked on until it is done.
2. The teacher sees the process of your child working along with the product of the efforts he makes. For homework, the teacher sees the product alone.

Human beings develop skills in the things they like to do, and they develop interest in the things they do well.  It is an error to focus on the homework-trapped child’s behavior and motivation, rather than to work, without punishments, on helping him develop homework-doing skills.

Next: Homework Time

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