Tired of relying on rewards and consequences to get your child motivated? Research shows the real secret is intrinsic motivation, helping kids feel proud and excited about their own growth.
Discover how to spark your child’s inner drive the right way.

This superpower is often overlooked by parents. If you’re struggling to motivate your child, it might be time to ditch the rules, consequences, reward charts, and sticker systems.

Research shows that the most effective way to motivate kids is through intrinsic motivation, helping them discover the joy of accomplishment, pride in their work, personal growth, and autonomy.

For example: when a young child successfully uses the toilet without being reminded, a caregiver might say, “You did that all by yourself! You must feel proud,” and share the success with grandma to reinforce the feeling of growth, not just the behavior. That celebration taps into something far more powerful than any external reward.

In contrast, extrinsic motivation like rewards, grades, or punishments (the old “carrot or stick” approach) has been shown to be less effective in the long run. It may get short-term results, but it doesn’t build self-motivation or lasting confidence.

In this episode, Hyperion discovers how good it feels to do something well—and he sings about it! He’s driven by purpose and passion, and he keeps going without a hint of quitting.