Don’t Confuse Effort and Motivation with Ability!
Effort, motivation, and ability applies to all kids. Everyone naturally performs better when they are motivated. Every student deserves the instruction that feeds the ability they need to perform well.
The conversation comes up all the time. Especially with kids with dyslexia, learning disabilities, executive functioning problems and attentional disorders.
I cringe when I hear,
Kids are lazy.
They lack motivation.
They don’t care if they fail.
Motivation and effort does not explain why these kids struggle. They struggle with content in biology. They can struggle reading the classics like Romeo and Juliet. Or struggle to hand in assignments or study for tests.
If your kid has a learning disability then they perform inconsistently. One week they will ace the assessment and the next week they could bomb. One week they will hand in all their assignments and the next week they shut down. It is normal.
Do not get into the idea that it is effort and motivation only.
Understand that no one wants to fail and struggle. It is easier for most struggling students to say:
I just don’t care.
I just don’t want to do it.
Rather than, I don’t have the ability.
Often times, it is a lack of ability that was not developed through appropriate instruction.
It is true that kids can be better at different subjects. They can be better at different learning task too. But with help and proper instruction they can develop the ability to succeed.
When kids do not develop the ability to succeed then motivation and effort become masks that can hide the real struggles.
Also, if kids put forth a lot of effort and still don’t have the ability to succeed then motivation takes this negative downturn.
Prevent this by knowing exactly what your kids strengths and weaknesses are. Make sure they get proper instruction. Make sure they have learning plans that support fostering their ability.
If you need help with proper instruction and planning for your kid and you know it’s not motivation or effort reach out.
Melissa Saliva is a Reading Consultant and founder of Beacon Valley Literacy Services. She helps parents help kids with dyslexia.