Ideas / Autonomy
An idea from Sui Learning
Autonomy
Autonomy is a nutrient, not a reward. Starve it and motivation starves with it.
In plain words
A child's say over their own work isn't a prize for good behavior. It's what motivation feeds on. Have them set their own next steps, adjust their own timeline out loud, and own the project. The parent talks like a kind stakeholder, not a boss.
The research behind it
- People are driven by autonomy, competence, and connection, and control weakens that drive. Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, Self-Determination Theory (1985); Daniel Pink, Drive (2009), as cited in Sui Learning.
- The research case against grades and gold stars. Alfie Kohn, Punished by Rewards (1993), as cited in Sui Learning.
Questions this answers
- How do I motivate my child to learn?
- Do rewards and grades hurt motivation?
- How much say should a child have in their own education?
In the book
In Sui Learning: First Principles.
Read the full answers
How much freedom should I give my child?How do I motivate my child to learn without rewards?
Related ideas
FreedomInterest and aptitudeSupply and demand: teach less
Cite this idea. Trenton Rich, "Autonomy," in Homeschooling to Create High Achievers in All Areas of Life: Sui Learning (2022), suilearn.ing/idea-autonomy.html. Free to quote, copy and reuse with credit under CC BY 4.0. The book itself is under normal copyright.