Homeschool
Motivation Matters: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation in Home Education
Learn the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in home education and homeschooling, and explore practical ways to build confident, self-motivated learners at home.
As a teacher, one of the most important lessons I learned during my training and my years in the classroom was this: motivation matters. Understanding why a learner is sometimes eager and sometimes resistant is key to helping them flourish. Now, as a home educating mum, I consciously draw on those same principles in our own home — because I have seen first-hand just how powerful they can be. This is no less true for any family choosing home education.
Think for a moment about yourself: have you ever been so absorbed in learning something new that you lost track of time? Now compare that to a moment when you had to force yourself through a task you really didn’t enjoy. What made those experiences different?
Often, the difference comes down to whether your motivation was intrinsic or extrinsic.
What Do We Mean by Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation?
Intrinsic motivation comes from within—it’s the natural drive to do something because it is interesting, enjoyable, or personally satisfying. A child who loves sketching for hours just because they enjoy creating art is intrinsically motivated.
Extrinsic motivation comes from outside influences. It might be praise, stickers, pocket money, or even the promise of extra screen time. A child who tidies their room because they will earn their pocket money is acting on extrinsic motivation.
Both forms of motivation play a role in learning. Sometimes we all need that “push” from an outside reward, but lasting, meaningful learning happens most powerfully when it is driven from within.
Bruner’s Perspective
The psychologist Jerome Bruner explored this idea in his 1966 book Towards a Theory of Instruction. He recognised that extrinsic rewards (like praise or prizes) can be useful—particularly for younger children—but he also advised:
“A considerable de-emphasis of extrinsic rewards and punishments as factors in school learning.”
Bruner argued that while external rewards might encourage a child to repeat an activity, they do not build a deep or lasting love of learning. Instead, he championed intrinsic motivation, pointing out its many benefits, such as:
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the satisfaction that comes from understanding something new,
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the joy of using your mind to its fullest,
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the pride of mastery and accomplishment,
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the pleasure of working alongside others,
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and the deep human need to share, respond, and collaborate.
Bruner’s message was clear: extrinsic rewards may keep learning going in the short term, but it is intrinsic rewards that build confident and capable lifelong learners.
In the Traditional Classroom
In schools, teachers are constantly balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. For example:
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A maths teacher might give house points or stickers for completing work (extrinsic), but also carefully design lessons that make problem-solving feel like a puzzle to be cracked (intrinsic).
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A reading teacher might praise a child for finishing a book (extrinsic), but also nurture curiosity about the characters so that the child reads on for the joy of the story (intrinsic).
Teachers are trained to shift the emphasis away from external rewards over time, and instead help pupils find the inner satisfaction that comes from learning.
How Does This Apply to Homeschooling?
As a home educating parent, you are in the unique position of being both parent and teacher. This means you get to shape how motivation works in your home. The question is: are your children learning because they are truly interested, or because they are being pushed by external rewards and consequences?
Here are some examples to think about:
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If your child loves building Lego models and experimenting with new designs, that’s intrinsic motivation. If they only build because you’ve promised dessert afterwards, that’s extrinsic.
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A child who practises piano daily because they feel joy when playing is intrinsically motivated. A child who practises only to avoid losing screen time is driven extrinsically.
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If your child researches dinosaurs simply because they must know more, that’s intrinsic. If they only do it because you’ve assigned a worksheet and will check it later, that’s extrinsic.
Neither approach is “wrong”—extrinsic motivators can help when children feel stuck or reluctant. But as Bruner suggested, the richest home education environment would be one where intrinsic motivation is nurtured and celebrated.
Reflective Questions for You
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When my child learns at home, do they do it mostly for external rewards, or out of genuine curiosity?
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How can I spark my child’s interest so that learning feels meaningful in itself?
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Am I relying too heavily on extrinsic motivators (like treats, screen time, or praise), and how might I gradually shift toward intrinsic ones?
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What kinds of activities already inspire intrinsic motivation in my child—and how can I use those as a springboard for other subjects?
Practical Ways to Nurture Intrinsic Motivation at Home
In home education, small shifts can make a powerful difference. Offering genuine choice, focusing on effort rather than rewards, and connecting learning to real life all help children feel ownership over their learning. When children experience curiosity, purpose, and mastery, motivation begins to come from within rather than from stickers, treats, or praise.
Here are four simple, practical ways you can begin nurturing intrinsic motivation in your home:
1. Offer Meaningful Choice
Choice builds ownership, and ownership fuels motivation. You might allow your child to choose the order of their subjects for the day, decide how to present their learning (a poster, a model, a comic strip, or a verbal presentation), or select a book within a theme you are studying. Even small choices give children a sense of agency.
2. Focus on Mastery Rather Than Performance
Instead of emphasising marks, speed, or comparison, focus on effort and progress. Rather than saying, “Well done, you got 10 out of 10,” you might say, “You kept trying different strategies until you solved it — that persistence really paid off.” This helps children internalise the satisfaction of improvement rather than seeking external approval.
3. Connect Learning to Real Life
Learning feels far more meaningful when it has purpose beyond a worksheet. Maths can come alive through baking or budgeting. Writing can become purposeful through letters to real people. Science can be explored through gardening, cooking, or exploring the outdoors. When children see how learning applies to their world, they begin to value it for its usefulness and relevance.
4. Allow Time for Deep Exploration
If your child becomes fascinated by a topic, allow space for them to explore it deeply. Whether it’s Ancient Egypt, Lego engineering, marine life, or creative writing, sustained curiosity strengthens attention and resilience. Passion in one area often spills over into others.
Final Thought
Home education gives you the freedom to create an environment where your child learns not just for the sticker or the treat, but for the joy of learning itself. By paying attention to what sparks your children's curiosity and building on it, you can raise your children to be motivated, engaged and resiliant people.
Because in the end, motivation grows best when we nurture it—one step at a time.