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.

“Although there are dozens of research-based books on motivation among children and youth (especially the lack of it), none captures the essence of the phenomenon as accurately and practically as this one does. It's proactive — preventative rather than reactive — and enlightening. It should required reading for aspiring teachers and veteran educators alike, and is beneficial for anyone who works with young people.” Chris Holmes, Former Missouri Teacher of the Year (2015)"This is the book for you, to inspire students to love challenge, feel invited to come and learn, develop coping strategies to become a learner, feel they belong, make wise choices, and become their own teachers. After reading, I feel inspired to take on tougher challenges, even more difficult to teach students, and challenging topics." Prof. John Hattie, author of Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement, believed to be the world’s largest evidence-based study into the factors which improve student learning.

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.