Child-Led Activities: The Importance of Motivation in Pediatric Therapy

Teachers and therapists work hard to utilize activities for children that increase their motivation to participate.  They also follow the child’s lead and design sessions around activities the child is interested in.  We often call this “child-led.”

Focusing on child-led activities that the child is interested in not only makes it much easier to gain cooperation and compliance, but it significantly increases their motivation, which then increases the impact of sessions and long-term learning.

Motivation affects memory.  When a child is motivated, they:

• Attend and focus: Motivation improves attention and focus, allowing for better encoding and retrieval of information.

• Encode information more deeply: Motivation enhances attention and focus, leading to deeper processing of information.

• Retrieve information more effectively: Motivated individuals are more likely to exert effort to recall information, improving retrieval success.

• Consolidate memories: Motivation can influence the consolidation process, strengthening neural connections and making memories more durable.

  
  

A child's motivation is a crucial factor in the success of learning. When a child is motivated, they are more likely to:

• Engage actively: A motivated child is more likely to participate fully in activities, which leads to better learning and skill development.

• Practice consistently and generalize new skills: Motivation encourages children to practice their skills outside of therapy sessions, reinforcing learning and accelerating progress.

• Persevere through challenges: When faced with difficult tasks, a motivated child is more likely to persist and work through obstacles, leading to greater achievements.

• Develop a positive attitude: A motivated child is more likely to have a positive attitude towards therapy, reducing stress and anxiety, and creating a more enjoyable learning experience.

  
  

How We Can Foster Motivation

Therapists, teachers, and parents can use a variety of techniques to foster motivation in children:

• Child-centered approach: Tailoring therapy sessions to the child's interests and preferences can significantly boost motivation.

• Positive reinforcement: Praising efforts, offering rewards, and celebrating successes can motivate children to work hard.

• Playful activities: Incorporating games, toys, and other fun activities into therapy sessions makes learning enjoyable and engaging.

• Meaningful and functional activities: Engaging children in activities that kids find meaningful and that help them in their daily life are more motivating. 

• Clear goals: Setting achievable goals and breaking them down into smaller steps can help children feel a sense of accomplishment.

• Building relationships: A strong therapist-child relationship can create a supportive and trusting environment, fostering motivation.

• Sensory Experiences: Sensory-rich activities can stimulate interest and focus, improving engagement.

• Social Interaction: Opportunities for social interaction and collaboration can enhance motivation and social skills.

  
  

Motivation is a powerful tool in therapy and learning. Children who are motivated will participate better, remember more of what they learn, and generalize more skills to their daily lives. Utilizing a child-led approach whenever possible is crucial to increase motivation and learning.