Yes. This<\/em>. This is what David and I wanted for our kids.<\/p>\n Once I learned the terminology, I couldn’t stop reading into it. I wanted to know how to do a better job at encouraging this in my children. I wanted to teach my children from the start about taking ownership in their own successes and failures.<\/p>\n As I researched I learned the basics. We are all born with intrinsic motivation. It’s how we learn to sit up, walk and talk. The action we are working towards learning is appealing because the reward comes in the mastery of the skill itself.<\/p>\n I’ve kept this philosophy in my head as I parent because I don’t think children should be rewarded for doing what is expected of them. In my mind, things like being respectful and helping out are things you do because you are a decent human being and a member of the family. That’s how my parents raised me (I think I may even remember my mom and dad saying that exact phrase?).<\/p>\n Also, I do not believe in regular bribery as parenting tactic.<\/p>\n [Tweet “Intrinsic Motivation in Kids: Why We Don’t Do Sticker Charts”]<\/p>\n The problem with bribing children to do something is that they could possibly grow up believing that they always deserve some additional reward for simply doing what they are expected to do.<\/p>\n Additionally, rewards only work for the short term. I won’t say I never use them; I do! However, I try to limit using them to one-time-only situations. A recent example: a family road trip where the kids were exhausted from too much excitement and travel. They were taking forever to get buckled up so I said as soon as they buckled up we could start a movie. You can imagine how quickly they jumped in their seats!<\/p>\n Research points to using an extrinsic motivation in occasional situations is different than using rewards for everyday tasks, which run the risk of squashing internal motivation. I don’t want my kids asking me what’s in it for them every time I need them to do a simple task like brushing their teeth or putting on their shoes. I don’t want them to think bargaining with me over everyday tasks is an option.<\/p>\n I’m going to take a step back real quick. Have I bribed my children before? Yes. Have I been so tired on days that I just don’t care? Of course! But as I’ve continued to see the proof of the principles of intrinsic motivation bear fruit in my kids, I continuously recommit myself to strive for consistency in my actions.<\/p>\n![\"raising](\"https:\/\/www.ahealthysliceoflife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-raise-intrinsically-motivated-children-640x1175.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"how](\"https:\/\/www.ahealthysliceoflife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/intrinsic-motivation-for-kids-640x756.jpg\")
<\/p>\n