Personalized Motivation: Using Interests to Keep Students Engaged

Sarah knew a few very important facts about Andrew before they ever sat down for their first tutoring session. She knew, based on the phone call with Andrew’s mom, that he liked *Star Wars*, the color *green*, and that *zebras* are his favorite animals. While these might seem like trivial facts, Sarah asked these questions with a purpose. 🤔 When Andrew’s six-year-old mind began to wander, Sarah used this knowledge to bring him right back to the lesson at hand.

Reward System Tailored to Interests

After the first few times Sarah had to remind Andrew to focus, they paused the lesson and brainstormed what it looked like to be on task and focused. She created a personalized reward system, using Andrew’s interests, that would keep him motivated. For every concept they worked on, Andrew earned 3 points for following all the behaviors they listed for staying on task, 2 points for most, 1 for a few, and 0 for none.

Then, Sarah introduced the big guns: Star Wars badges! 🎖 She showed Andrew three “badges” (pictures of his favorite characters) and explained that when he earned 10 points, he’d get the first badge, 20 points for the second, and 30 for the third. The ultimate reward? Watching YouTube videos of zebras on her iPad for the last few minutes of the tutoring session! 🦓

Incorporating Crafts and Fun

Sarah discovered that Stephanie loved arts and crafts. She set up a focus-tracking system for Stephanie, giving her a tally for every 5 minutes she stayed on task. After 50 tallies, Stephanie would earn a mini craft project. 🎨

Stephanie went above and beyond to be focused and quickly earned her craft. Though Sarah wasn’t particularly crafty herself, bringing a few simple materials like Popsicle sticks, string, and fabric turned into a fancy kite that Stephanie proudly took home. 🎏

The Power of Personalized Learning

Nothing warms a parent’s heart more than seeing their child being educated *and* cared for. When parents see someone who is genuinely interested in their child’s strengths and interests, they will rave about the tutor’s efforts. This personal touch creates a positive feedback loop, as parents eagerly tell other parents about how their child’s tutor goes above and beyond.

These motivational tools are simple yet effective, especially for primary grades. They can be easily customized for different students and subject areas, helping foster a love for learning. 💡