Tag: Intrinsic Motivation

Household Responsibilities – A Defensive Conversation and a Productive Conversation…

And Tools and Tips! It’s a Sunday afternoon. Mom and Dad have decided that at ten years of age their daughter, Molly, could be taking more responsibility for her contributions to the household. They attempt to set the stage. Mom puts out a snack for family members. She grabs a clipboard, paper, and marker to create …

How Do You Teach Your Child To Be A Responsible Digital Citizen?

by Guest Writer, Ruth Dearing If only I had a penny for every time I’ve been asked this question! It’s a big question most parents have, and unfortunately, there is no simple answer. There are lots of factors to take into consideration that work together to help a child become a responsible digital citizen, and …

Children’s Independence – Cultivating Competence

“How can the sun always be on fire? Where does the fire come from?” asks E, my five-year-old son. “I don’t know,” I say. “Good question.” “Papa Dave will know. He’s tall so he knows everything,” asserts E. At all ages and stages, kids admire and desire competence. Particularly as they enter the middle school …

In Praise of Specificity

The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it. –       John Ruskin  How does praise – the expression of a favorable judgment[i]  – fit with raising a confident child? Is it good or bad? Is there such a thing as too much or too …

Cultivating a Sense of Competence

How can the sun always be on fire? Where does the fire come from? asks E, my five year old son. I don’t know, I say. Good question. Papa Dave will know. He’s tall so he knows everything, asserts E. –          Conversation at our house last week At all ages and stages, kids admire and …

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