VanDamme Academy: Motivation with Rabbit Stories

In this video, Miss VanDamme explains her observation that sometimes the best way to motivate or discipline a child is to tell him a story--and speculates about why.

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• Education
• Motivation
• VanDamme
• Academy

[boldstandard]

I like how, instead of merely telling us that it's best to motivate people by telling a story, Miss Van Damme drives the point home in the form of-- a story! I certainly feel motivated to use this technique now. : )

[VanDammeAcademy]

@boldstandard You caught that! ;)

[dwisehart]

@dwisehart Read these comments in the order they were submitted: bottom to top.

[dwisehart]

@dwisehart The issue is one of self-monitoring or introspection, which is a learned skill.  When we are young we think without thinking about our thinking. As we grow up we have to learn to step back from our thoughts and evaluate them. Whether it is through a rabbit story or picturing a teacher as a student or evaluating a teacher as a student, we have to monitor our own thinking to be motivated, independent adults. I think Mr. Steele's story taught the student the benefits of introspection.

[dwisehart]

I agree with your analysis. I will add that it helps to consider the same situation from a different angle and we can use this technique on ourselves as adults.

Let's say you are teaching a class and the students just aren't getting it. You are frustrated because you think you are being clear, but the students are confused.

If you imagine for a moment that you are the confused student and ask yourself what the best sort of teacher could do then you will learn what you need to do.

[dannidandannikins]

Great to see you back and even better to hear your daughters are well. Thank you for your great videos.

[servedwithlemon]

Excellent video! I have found that this technique works very well. They even remember the story and bring it up later in similar situations. A much better way to relate to the child than lecturing or telling them what they should do!