Montessori Elementary Philosophy Reflects Current Motivation Theories

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Student motivation, or lack thereof, is a popular topic in discussions about the challenges of modern education. Teachers wonder how best to motivate students; parents wonder why their children are not motivated to do well in school; and the popular media laments a general trend toward student disengagement. Motivation is a crucial concept in education because it has been shown to influence interest, excitement, and confidence, which in turn enhance performance, persistence, creativity, and general well-being (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

Because of the crucial role that motivation can play in educational success, research on motivation is prolific. Pintrich contends that "motivational …