Motivation

Greetings y'all :

Most folks will agree that motivation is key. We are all motivated by something to do something. We have extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. We strive to do our best and to be successful with the use of motivation. We may internalize or sense of competition and desire to do our best to be more creative and productive on our job. We may even find we receive verbal praise or maybe promotions and pay rises by thinking outside the box. We feel good when we are rewarded for creativity and it encourages us to further growth. Conversely we may find our thinking outside the box, building a better mousetrap as it were , being squelched and under appreciated. We then feel frustrated but realize we also have the flexibility to find an employer who appreciates and stimulates who we are.

Now suppose you went to work and had very little ability to do whole brain learning, to think creatively, or to put who you are into your career. You are expected to be a silent cog in the machinery. I understand some folks may find this scenario comforting, but many will tilt against these windmills.

Which situation is more idealistic? Which situation is more realistic ? Which situation is more stressful? Which situation is more stimulating?

Now I ask you what about being a quirky,exuberant , and creative child? Children are told to stop watching the magic talking moving picture box, stop playing video games, to get outside and play and explore. However they are being told to sit quietly in the classroom or risk losing recess. How do we reconcile this? What is the motivation for these children? Good grades ? Avoid punishment ? I posit those are forced extrinsic motivators.

I find , and this is simply my own humble opinion, that many children like to explore. The proverb goes give a man a fish he eats for a day, teach a man to fish he eats forever. Are we simply spooning information to students , expecting them to quietly digest it. Is it not better to let them discover the knowledge and therefore own it?

Creativity is something which can be culled or quelled. How do we tap into a child's intrinsic motivation? How do we genuinely allow a child to take ownership of life long active learning? I fear industrialized style of education is denying our future generations of the ability to lead and think creatively.

I'll step down from my soap box for the moment . Thanks for listening to my rant.

Meanwhile back at Mowgli. Yes part of rant was about how he may seem to be off task or off topic but if one investigates he's not being disrespectful and rude but is oft times taking the base knowledge being taught and expanding it with what ifs. He is a experiential eight year old who thinks outside the box and beyond the basic instruction. Admittedly he needs to learn how to better is present in thoughts in a more respectful manner, but again he is eight. Is he angry? Yeppers he's had experiences no child should have. Many children have it worse but I'm raising this one not the others. I was told yesterday " wait he's bright , he's eight and he's angry? Ok so what's the problem ? Many bright and angry eighteen year olds can't fully grasp or articulate their feelings " I have to admit I love working in BLS, tis my calling but my child belongs in the original placement of GT third grade not the BLS program. His self control in group settings has increased exponentially! Is it the actual school setting? No but he needs to be challenged academically. We, he and I , are reading Rudyard Kiplings unabridged version of 'Captains Courageous ' and he is able to digest it.How many eight year olds enjoy reading books on the elements? How many can bake bread from scratch ? Can explain how a steam engine works? Have a good understanding of the government? Many children out pace him but he is the bright bulb in my lamp.

Oops sorry for another rant folks.

Thanks for listening yet again. Remember all feedback , both positive and negative , help facilitate growth in all of us. A few folks say they my mindless meandering mumblings on here but feel they have little to add. I say balderdash ! Every sentient being gas valid thoughts and opinion. Plato showed us that life in the cave is restrictive.