Inspiring Motivation in Children and Youth

Inspiring Motivation in Children and Youth: How to Nurture Environments for Learning explores motivation and its crucial role in promoting well-being in the classroom and life beyond school. It will help all those who work with children and youth to understand and improve their motivation, and to create nurturing environments for younger people.
David Bergin provides a highly accessible exploration of key research, examining the ways children's goals, self-efficacy, self-determination, and feelings of being cared for affects their motivation as well as their desire to learn more about themselves and the world. This essential guide also addresses influences of competition, diversity, prejudice, and discrimination on motivation. The book provides a comprehensive look at the importance of instilling motivation at this critical age, highlighting the benefits through real-life examples and anecdotes. Illustrated with stories from diverse contexts, the author provides practical advice on how to use goals effectively, help children feel competent, autonomous, and like they belong.
Inspiring Motivation in Children and Youth is for any student looking to excel in a psychological, educational, health, or social work setting, as well as professionals in the field, and parents. It is targeted for people who work or plan to work with children from pre-school to high school and will be useful to teachers, youth leaders, coaches, counselors, social workers, and nurses.

David A. Bergin teaches in the teacher education and graduate programs at the University of Missouri, USA. Dr. Bergin holds PhD and Educational Specialist degrees from Stanford University and has studied topics such as classroom engagement, interest, and motivation for learning. His co-authored textbook for teachers has been used by thousands of students.

Introduction 1. Why is it important to be a learned person? 2. What goals do children and youth have? How do goals influence their behavior? 3. Do children and youth feel competent? Understanding and influencing self-efficacy and motivation. 4. Do children and youth feel that they belong? The importance of connection, caring, and relationships. 5. Do children and youth feel that they have autonomy? The importance of feeling that behavior is freely chosen for well-being and motivation. 6. How can you make learning meaningful, relevant, and interesting? 7. How does competition affect motivation? 8. How do diverse backgrounds affect motivation? The influence of socialization, prejudice, discrimination, and multicultural education on well-being and motivation. 9. How can you inspire motivation in clients of counseling, psychotherapy, social work, and allied health professions?