• Psychology -> Child and Developmental Psychology

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How can teachers optimize a child's 'self-determination' in the classroom?

Wenzel Pottberry

Well, little friend, teachers can do many things to help you feel in control of your own learning. It’s called ‘self-determination’ and it means having a say in what you learn, how you learn it, and how you show what you have learned. Here are some ideas!

Firstly, teachers can give you choices. Instead of just telling you what to do, they can ask you what you want to learn about, and give you options for how to learn it. For example, you might get to choose between reading a book or watching a video about a topic, or between working in a group or on your own.

Secondly, teachers can help you set goals. This means talking with you about what you want to achieve with your learning, and helping you plan how to reach those goals. It could be something like wanting to improve your reading speed, or wanting to get better at math. Once you have a goal, your teacher can give you the tools you need to reach it, and help you track your progress along the way.

Thirdly, teachers can give you feedback. When you finish an assignment or activity, your teacher can talk with you about what you did well, and what you could improve on. This helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses, and helps you figure out how to do better next time.

Finally, teachers can help you develop a growth mindset. This means believing that you can get better at anything with practice and effort. Your teacher can encourage you to take risks, try new things, and learn from your mistakes. Instead of feeling like you ‘failed’ at something, you can see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

All of these things can help you feel more in control of your own learning, and help you stay motivated and engaged in the classroom. So, next time you’re in class, remember that your teacher is there to help you be the best learner you can be!