Insights from "What Did You Ask At School Today" - Ritu Jain

 Unlocking the Keys to Motivation in Education

"Action isn’t just the effect of motivation, but also the cause of it".

We tend to think that we have to wait for inspiration or energy to hit us, and we get deflated when it doesn't come. We might think that we're doing something motivating or proactive when, in fact, we're not.

Motivation – a word that holds the power to drive us towards our goals, to fuel our aspirations, and to propel us through the challenges we face. Yet, despite its significance, understanding motivation, especially in the context of education, remains a complex endeavor. In the thought-provoking book "What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning Book 1" by Kamala V. Mukunda," the essence of motivation is explored, shedding light on its intricacies and its pivotal role in the learning process.

The book begins with a chapter on how the human brain develops and learns from infancy. It 'peers into the brain', using insights from great scientific studies of the past as well as from modern technology, to explain neurogenesis and learning. 

"What makes us do the things we do? What motivates us to begin an activity, and keep it up until some goal is achieved, sometimes even in the face of great difficulty?" This fundamental question sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the dynamics of motivation. While the answer may vary from person to person and situation to situation, there exists a universal aspect to motivation – the inherent capacity within all human beings to be motivated.

The passage underscores an essential insight: the perception of someone as 'unmotivated' often stems from their deviation from the expectations of others. As educators, understanding this distinction is crucial, as it allows us to navigate the complexities of motivation in the classroom effectively. When students exhibit enthusiasm for learning, teaching transcends mere instruction; it becomes an enriching experience, characterized by mutual growth and fulfilment. Conversely, in the absence of motivation, even the most meticulously crafted lessons can seem futile, dissipating into a void of disinterest and frustration.

In essence, the heart of effective teaching lies in answering the pivotal question: "How do I motivate my students to learn?" This question encapsulates the essence of the educator's journey – a quest to unlock the keys to student engagement, curiosity, and intrinsic drive. It beckons us to delve into the myriad factors that influence motivation, from the allure of discovery to the impact of environment and personal agency.

At its core, motivation in education is not merely about coaxing compliance or incentivizing performance; it is about nurturing a genuine passion for learning, a thirst for knowledge that transcends the confines of the classroom. It requires fostering a supportive and empowering educational ecosystem where students feel valued, challenged, and inspired to embark on intellectual adventures.

In conclusion, "What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning Book 1" by Kamala V. Mukunda" serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of motivation on the educational experience. It beckons educators to embrace the challenge of nurturing motivation in their students, recognizing it as a cornerstone of meaningful learning and personal development. 

So let us embark on this transformative journey together, fueled by the belief in the boundless potential of motivated minds.

Ritu Jain
General Manager @My Good School 

The Secrets Of The Highly Efficient - Yashraj Sharma

Well, hello, dear reader! Before you start reading, there's one request I'd like to make to you. This is a big article, but trust me if you read it. It will be worth the time.

At some point in our lives, I'm sure we've all procrastinated. Sometimes, when your lazy side just takes over you and instead of knowing that right now is the perfect time to do some task, that lazy version of yourself just seems to take the steering wheel of your mind. We start doing things that we would define as "stupid" when we think about it; I mean, we all know that it's not wrong if I say that the first thing you do is go and check the fridge to see if something has magically appeared in there which wasn't there 10 minutes ago when you checked it for the same reason. 

You must be wondering what you are even reading, which is completely unrelated to the title you read, before opening this article in the first place.

So, I read a book called Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins. Many of you might have yet to hear about this book or even this author. Well, I'm not going to tell you much about this book, but from reading it, I have come to learn of the two secrets of the highly efficient people we see every day on our devices and say, "Wow! They are excellent at their work. I'm sure they worked hard". These have helped me bring about some change in my life, and if you also practice them in your life, it'll give results, some outstanding ones. 

Number one: Motivation is absolute crap

I know this may have felt a bit harsh, but sometimes we just have to take it and accept it the way it is, right? So, there are always some things like guilt, dread, anxiety, self-hatred, and all of those good procrastinator feelings. These feelings are like quicksand. They grab you under and won't let you go. When it feels like that, it's elementary to drift off and continue making all the comfortable decisions you previously created that left you here. This is where "motivation" comes into play, commonly heard of when people set out to do something but end up in this situation. Even the best pep-talk or self-hack is nothing but a temporary fix. It won't amplify your voice or uplift your life. Motivation changes absolutely nobody. You need to fall in love with suffering and pain to transform from the little soul you are today into the most unbreakable and hardest person God has ever created. By which, I mean being the most successful person on the planet in the thing you do. 

Number two: The 3D mantra

Before you get too excited, I'm not recommending any movie but instead the one basic principle yet the most important one in your entire life you'll ever need in any situation to achieve any goal you set for yourself. This mantra says:

D- Discipline

D- Determination

D- Dedication

If you follow this mantra for every work you set out to do, I can guarantee you'll see results far better than expected.

The two things I just mentioned can be used in every area of your life, whether you're a student struggling in studies, trying to become the best or an adult. In the end, I'd like to say you need to know how to master your mind and defy the odds. Trust me, if you learn to do that and work hard daily. You'll see yourself becoming 1% better at the end of each day.

Yashraj Sharma

Gyanshree School

Grade IX Image of the book courtesy BOL.COM

There are many dimensions to every person - Aria Gupta

Picture Courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Dimension

You might be wondering - why I haven't written this article in story form. It's because this topic has many details to consider. And I think that it's hard to convert it into a good story.

Moving on to the topic, we first need to define the meaning of dimensions. Dimensions may imply different things to different people. It could refer to their life responsibilities (mother, friend, etc.) or personality characteristics and traits. Ultimately, the dimensions of a person cover the numerous qualities that comprise a person. 

In my opinion, every role has a dimension that includes attributes. A student's role, for example, may involve characteristics such as procrastination or being studious (the traits vary from person to person). These characteristics and dimensions - create and define the individual's identity and contribute to their unique personality. People's dimensions can also include their talents and abilities, such as creative or intellectual ability. attributes

I won't say that our physical appearance is counted as a dimension; in reality, a person's true worth lies within their character and capabilities. These dimensions shape how individuals interact with the world around them and influence their behaviour and decision-making. 

Moreover, they play a crucial role in determining one's personal and professional growth, as they impact one's motivation, resilience, and overall well-being. Therefore, it is essential to recognise and nurture those dimensions to embrace and express one's true self.

To sum it up, dimensions refer to various roles of a person, including different life responsibilities, personality traits, talents, and abilities. They shape behaviour, decision-making, motivation, resilience, and overall well-being and are crucial for personal and professional success. Recognising and nurturing these dimensions is essential.

Aria Gupta

Grade VI || Gyanshree School

How do I develop self-control? - Januka Basnet

F𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 is 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫, 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. However, I 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 as 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. C𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬.

𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 their 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 of 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝. T𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 a 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥. 𝐇𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐇𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩.

J𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐤𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 P𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐳𝐳𝐢

Why do we need Determination in our lives? - Reflections 26th Feb 2023

Yes, Determination is essential in our lives because the word determination itself says the essence of increasing the same chances to be successful in what you want to achieve. It could be an aim of your life or a particular thing you want to achieve. For me, Determination means being motivated and only losing hope once unless you reach what you want and have faith in yourself.

Once you are determined and have faith in yourself, hundreds of obstacles may come your way and can't stop you from achieving your goal. So at last, I say that, according to my having, a determination is essential; otherwise, we can give up things quickly, but once you are determined, you will try your best to achieve that.

Mishu Gupta

When I think of determination I see it as the strong desire or will to do something or accomplish a thing which someone wishes to do. A dream or goal of a person is only fulfilled and hard work comes when one is determined towards one's goal or dream. Determination makes a person more interested and focus towards achieving his goal. Nothing would distract or obstruct a determined person from achieving his dream. 

All successful people have achieved success as determination has played a huge role in their lives. No one can stop a determined person and can never put them down. Even the motivational speakers have always mentioned that determination is very important to achieve something. Determination is something which comes from within and it never comes through forcing or punishing someone. No dream is fulfilled in life without determination , it is the most important part for achieving or doing something.

Shristi Khulal

By having a determination one can achieve anything in life but , one must also have a intrest on what you are doing. If we forcefully try to put our determination on the work in which we are not interested then it will ruin our life and if we put our determination on the work in which we are really interested then it will surely lead to sucess 

In life we need to have determination as without the willing of doing something one can never achieve success. Determination helps us to keep moving forward in life. Are determined to do something, then the way to success is automatically created. It is very important to have determination in life to reach success and to achieve anything in life.

Tenzin Jambey

All reflections are from

Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Poll commissioned at The Sunday School by Jugjiv Sir.

Hope - Gaurangi Rastogi

Please read The Little Book of Values:
Educating Children to become Thinking, Responsible and Caring Citizens.

People talk about hope whenever you are stuck in a difficult situation.

But what is hope? Sometimes this question clicks my mind. It is a step that motivates you to reach your destination or aim to be achieved. 

Recently, I travelled to 'Char Dham Yatra'. Which is enjoyable. When I saw the track, I felt disappointed. It was a tiring journey, but something inside kept my excitement alive.

I think that's hope!

Hope never lets your aspirations or dreams die. It keeps it alive in your heart. Some examples of maintaining hope in my daily life:

• Hope of mummy making something good in Lunch.

• Hope that my family to bring surprises on my birthday 

• Hope of going to park and cycle 3 rounds without stopping.

Gaurangi Rastogi 
VII 
The Doon Girls' School 

Fun - Aria Gupta

"You don't stop playing because you get old. You get old because you stop playing".

I think everybody likes to have fun more than work. But why are some things fun while others are not? Work may be stressful and create anxiety, while fun is full of joy. One way to make work fun is to forget all that stress and anxiety; instead, think about the joy you feel when you're having fun. Another way to make work fun is to gamify it. For example, if you have to finish tons of homework, I make a fairy list for all the assignments. After doing one, you may ask an imaginary fairy to grant a wish, a small one like watching TV for 30 minutes or playing with your friends for an hour. Fun is compelling in motivation, so you should add some fun to work.  

Aria Gupta

Grade IV-F

Gyanshree School

Freedom - Khushi Badgeri

Freedom is the power to act according to our own will. Freedom is expressing things. Children need the freedom to explore, imagine, create, grow and develop their inquisitiveness to acquire knowledge.

Freedom for me is dancing and singing. I can dance and sing freely for hours together. I enjoy my freedom in dreaming tomorrow. I aim to be a Doctor, but at the same time, I would like to be a good classical dancer and a good singer.

For me freedom means expressing myself, freedom to chase my dreams, freedom to believe and trust in myself, freedom to be there for my family, my friends, and society. Freedom to make mistakes and to learn from the mistakes done. 

Freedom is responsibility!!

Freedom is motivation!!

Name: Khushi Badgeri
Grade: 2A
Billabong High International School, Thane

Appreciation - Rehan Raza

Praising anybody for their task can increase the confidence of the receiver. The word “Appreciation” looks smaller from the outside, but it can help achieve anything if used properly. This word is the most powerful word for motivating someone. If someone gets appreciated for a specific task, then that person always gives the best in everything.

This word is motivational, carries a vast power inside and can turn negative thoughts into positive ones. This is the magic of appreciation. Many people know how to make use of this word while others recognize its depth and meaning. If this word is used for a person, they can carry out any problematic task with low input energy. Many organizations and multinational companies are known for their culture of appreciation. This is the main reason behind the happiness of their employees. If there is a difficult task ahead and a team is unfamiliar with how to carry out that task, the team leader or manager tries to appreciate members or members for their previous task. This can increase the inner power of that member.

Appreciating someone’s efforts is not an act that makes you feel shy, but it’s an act that proves your character. This act shows that you are living down to earth. Therefore it is necessary to appreciate a person whenever possible. It is an excellent way to make things easier and simpler.

Rehan Raza 

Class XII

The Fabindia School

My Happy Place - Harsha Suthar

In Fabindia School, I had good moments, but the best moments that I’ve experienced were in a particular class in my senior years. I have the best school life memories. And the teachers of the Fabindia School are excellent, they teach us so well. The Fabindia School made me lovely friends and the best teachers. They are like a treasure for me. The joys of school life are invaluable.

I remember my first speech in the assembly. I didn’t want to do it, but finally, I did it, and that was my best moment. When I went to present, I felt afraid, and then when I presented, I felt so good for the effort I applied. Now I feel better than my first speech day of presentations because I know that I can do whatever I want. The learning that I acquired made this moment so good because I knew I had trust in myself. I have overcome my fears and have not let them control me because we can’t know our capabilities if we are afraid. 

The teachers and principal ma'am are very supportive and friendly. I am blessed with best friends for the rest of my life and my best teachers in this school life. I have a good collection of school life pictures. Those school life pictures are my best memories, and I will cherish them throughout my life.

 I remember the days we celebrated, the extracurricular activities and we took part in.

I have studied in the school from Prep to XII. I am interested in extracurricular activities like games, cycling, dance, etc., and study. I participated in Science, Social Science, Art & Craft Exhibitions in Annual Function. I also participated in Athletes District Competition, Pali, Olympiad Exams & Exchange Programs to Heritage Girls School, Udaipur & Indraprastha Women College, Delhi. I enjoyed it a lot.

I went for educational trips to Ahmedabad & Himachal Pradesh. We had fun & learning. Later I developed an interest in Art. I felt alive, and the creative side of me came out. When I sketched my first Zentangle Art. I realized that it was fun and unique. I felt like I wanted to do more and more. And then I found my passion. Since today I have sketched over 50 Zentangles. This was good for me because I found what best fits in me. I got a good learning experience, self-confidence, motivation, and the will to do my best. 

In this school period, I learned truly. I directed myself. I learned dedication, hard work, discipline, sincerity, motivation, and self-actualization.

Harsha Suthar

Ex-student

The Fabindia School