Keeping Students Motivated

Motivation flourishes when students feel autonomous, supported and competent. Our hands-on curriculum and supportive faculty help children become engaged students with a passion for learning. How can teenagers equip themselves to move forward during this difficult and frustrating time?

Motivating teenagers can be a challenge, especially during difficult and frustrating times such as the global pandemic. At our school, we believe that motivation flourishes when students feel autonomous, supported, and competent. Our hands-on curriculum and supportive faculty help children become engaged students with a passion for learning. A New York Times article titled “How to Motivate Teenagers (Without Losing Your Mind)” provides some helpful tips for parents and educators alike.

According to the article, autonomy is critical for motivating teenagers. Giving them a sense of control over their lives and learning can help them feel more invested in their education. This can be achieved by allowing them to make choices about their schedule, their assignments, and their extracurricular activities. By providing them with choices, we empower our students to take ownership of their education and develop a sense of responsibility for their own learning.

Support is also essential for motivating teenagers. Teenagers need to feel that they have a support system in place that will help them navigate the challenges they face. At our school, we believe that building strong relationships between students and faculty is key to creating a supportive environment. Our faculty members take the time to get to know each student and provide them with personalized support and guidance throughout their time at our school.

Competence is the final key to motivating teenagers. Teenagers need to feel that they are capable of achieving their goals and succeeding in their endeavours. By providing opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge, we help our students build their confidence and develop a sense of competence. Our hands-on curriculum and focus on experiential learning provide our students with opportunities to practice and apply their knowledge in real-world settings, which helps to build their sense of competence and self-assurance.

So, what can teenagers do to equip themselves to move forward during this difficult and frustrating time? The answer is to focus on building autonomy, seeking support, and developing competence. By taking ownership of their learning, seeking out mentors and support systems, and practicing and applying their skills and knowledge, teenagers can become more motivated and engaged learners. At our school, we are committed to helping our students develop these critical skills and traits so that they can become successful, self-directed learners and leaders in their communities.

If you want to learn more about the Vancouver Waldorf School and our commitment to providing rich and meaningful programs, we encourage you to join an information session or submit an admissions inquiry. We have a rolling admissions policy and accept students when space is available throughout the year.