Dr. Ellen Braaten, author of 'Bright Kids Who Couldn't Care Less: How to Rekindle Your Child's Motivation', discusses the reasons behind children losing interest in school and other activities. She explores the demotivating effects of academic pressure, the mismatch between parents' expectations and students' preferences in college admissions, and the importance of uncovering assumptions and focusing on pleasure. Dr. Braaten also emphasizes the significance of sleep and basic needs for children's motivation.
Understanding children's aptitudes and interests is crucial for motivating them.
Parents should encourage alternative paths to success and explore what activities bring their child happiness.
Deep dives
Understanding the Book's Purpose
The podcast episode features Dr. Ellen Bratton discussing her book, 'Bright Kids Who Couldn't Care Less.' She explains that the book aims to open discussions about how to motivate children and explores questions about what brings them pleasure and their goals. Dr. Bratton emphasizes the need for parents to understand their child's aptitudes and interests, as many may not be aware of these important factors. The book provides practical discussion questions to help parents delve into the topic of motivation.
The Impact of Social Pressures
The podcast delves into the social pressures faced by children, particularly regarding education and college admissions. Dr. Bratton highlights two categories of kids: high-achieving, anxious individuals and those who feel they cannot meet the expectations set for college-bound success. She argues that the quest for success and the pressure to conform to a specific path often demotivates children. Dr. Bratton encourages parents to critically evaluate these expectations and consider alternative paths to adulthood.
Exploring Motivation and Finding Happiness
The podcast emphasizes the need to understand what motivates children and identifies three crucial factors: aptitude, practice, and pleasure. Dr. Bratton recommends parents explore what activities bring their child happiness and what they naturally excel at. She urges parents to value pleasure and fun rather than focusing solely on achievements or extracurricular activities. By identifying and nurturing what truly makes them happy, children can find genuine motivation in their pursuits.
Challenging Assumptions about College
The podcast discusses the societal pressure for all children to attend college. Dr. Bratton encourages parents to let go of the notion that college is the only path to success and happiness. She raises concerns about the financial burden of college and outdated notions of success associated with attending prestigious institutions. Parents are urged to have open discussions about their child's desires and consider alternative paths that align with their aptitudes and goals.
“He’s so smart, but he’s no longer interested in school—or any 'offline' activities.” “She used to love sports, but now she just mopes around.” “My kid has turned into such a slacker!” If this sounds like your child, you need to listen to this episode! This week, my friend @Dr. Ellen Braaten shares insights from her new book, Bright Kids Who Couldn't Care Less: How to Rekindle Your Child's Motivation. Kids who have lost the will to do anything (other than play video games) need more than simple encouragement or the “right” school, teacher, or coach to get back on track. Instead, Dr. Braaten helps parents understand the myriad biological, emotional, cognitive, and social factors that affect motivation—and build a plan to boost their child’s confidence, incentive to learn, and engagement in life. Dr. Braaten's approach is to explore the issue of kids who couldn’t care less from many different vantage points, starting with identifying the problem—why is it that so many kids don’t seem to care about anything?
Ellen Braaten, PhD, is Executive Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, and Visiting Professor at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. She has been affiliated with MGH and HMS since 1998. Dr. Braaten is widely recognized for her expertise in pediatric neuropsychological and psychological assessment, particularly in the areas of assessing learning disabilities and attentional disorders. Follow Dr. Braaten at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-braaten-275a7b11/