Measuring Motivation in Young Children: A Comparison of Dutch, Finnish, and Israeli Children

• In Event: 72.065 - Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: 72.065-5 - International Perspectives in Student Motivation

Abstract

Measuring young children’s motivation for structured activities follows research relating motivation to academic achievement. This study compares 472 young children from Finland, Holland, and Israel, using a three-part motivation model including task orientation, task avoidance, and social dependence. The Child Behavior Motivational Scale assessed motivational patterns by country, age, and gender. Results showed that Israeli children displayed lower levels of task avoidance and social dependence. In the European groups task orientation increased with age. In all three countries, girls exhibited higher levels of task orientation. Differences in motivation may result from cultural characteristics, while consistent gender differences across countries may indicate pervasive universal gendered aspects of these societies. Awareness of young children’s motivational patterns contributes to practice supporting academic advancement.

Authors

• David L Brody, Efrata College of Education

• Esther Scheiner, Efrata College

• Mordecai Demri Ben Ari, Efrata College of Education

• Yair Tzadok, Efrata College of Education

• Geerdina M. Van Der Aalsvoort, Saxion University of Applied Sciences

• Janne Lepola, U.S. Department of Education