The Motivation Breakthrough: 6 Secrets to Turning On the Tuned-Out Child

by Richard Lavoie

A guide for parents, educators, and caregivers on how to inspire unmotivated children identifies six teaching strategies that can be applied to a variety of personality types, in a resource that challenges popular myths while explaining how adults can become healthy and work-oriented role models. 60,000 first printing.

Genres: Education, Parenting, Teaching, Nonfiction, Psychology, Professional Development, School

416 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2007

About the author

Rick Lavoie is a consultant on learning disabilities.

Reviews

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Lavoie is very knowledgeable about teaching kids who have a learning disability. If you are a teacher and haven't seen his F.A.T City Workshop DVD, then you should. It will give you some new insight into what children with ADD, ADHD, and other learning disabilities go through in classrooms all over the country on a daily basis.

This particular book is just one part of the puzzle in reaching kids who have tuned out at school because they have become discouraged through their experiences with the educational system.

I feel the book is worth a look...even if you get it from the library. Most people should be able to take some strategies away from it.

[Vivien Naomi Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the greatest lessons I learnt here was this: “Success is the greatest motivator (repeated many times in the book).” As a teacher, I would love for my kids to succeed and go far in their adulthood. However, I realize that I don’t have to build them up to succeed only in their adulthood; I can help them see they are already succeeding and will continue to succeed. By the time they reach adulthood, they could all be really strong, independent and driven learners! I am excited to apply what I have learnt here and use to empower the young more effectively.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my student teaching semester, so I choose this book hoping for some hints on motivating some of my students. This particular book seems to emphasize special ed and elementary ed students, which meant nearly every suggestion had to be adapted in some way. But when Lavoie wrote in generalizations this book was very helpful. When I utilized his advice in my classroom, I definately noticed that some students who had been tuned out were more motivated. This was definately one of the more helpful books I've turned to this semester.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Lavoie is one of my educational heroes. His level of empathy and understanding of students is unmatched, and it is refreshing to read a book with such a human viewpoint. We get so caught up in the minutia of daily lessons and grading that sometimes we forget about the bigger picture and all the other ways in which we can influence children. Lavoie reminds me that this is a privilege, and I should use it to its best advantage.

[Ryan Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed a talk that Lavoie gave that I watched for a pedagogy class, so I picked up this book! I've been reading this off and on for professional development.

I feel like the book is a little longer than it needs to be, sometimes a bit rambley, but I love that it talks about the six different kinds of motivation that children (and adults) respond to. It's a good idea to audit your own teaching style to see if you lean towards one motivation style simply because you are motivated by that style.

[Kathy Kuhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed on my website, http://learndifferently.com

[Kelli Winwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little clinical for me, but the quick reference and top 10 were awesome

[Diane Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book to help me work with students who have ADHD, it turned out to be immensely helpful with my own son. I saw so much of him in this book, and it taught me patience and understanding. I highly recommend this book to both parents and teachers.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent source for those who are truly seeking to understand children and teach them effectively. The first 3/4 of the book was by far the most useful. Richard Lavoie organized it well, brought his thoughts to life with experiences from his own career, and wrote with an encouraging spirit that made me feel hopeful for those student with whom I work that just don't seem to love learning the way that I would like them to. The last quarter of the book is filled with the extra tidbits that I think he couldn't get to blend in anywhere else. They were useful, especially for parents, and if you're a teacher advising parents, but this book just didn't seem to be where that information belonged. Still, an excellent book and a resource that I will keep turning back to as I seek to help my students feel motivated to learn and as I strive to maintain my own motivation.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm only about half way through but so far, I'm not very impressed. The author makes some good points, but most of them are ideas by someone else that he's just re-presenting or common sense things such as: praising children, offering them choices, let them use the bathroom, provide a safe environment. At the risk of sounding like a junior high kid, "Duh!"
I'm holding out hope that there will be some more innovative content further on in this book however, because I really do want some new ideas for motivating some of my students who aren't responding to the ideas listed so far.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know intellectually that I'm supposed to motivate kids to learn, but there's never been any clarity before. This wonderful book makes it clear what motivates different types of kids, and has a lot of practical suggestions. He recommends the things that I know have worked on my kids in the past, and I can't wait to apply the new ideas. Well written, very human and sympathetic to kids (but not ignorant of the frustrations and pitfalls facing the parent and teacher), this is a delightful book.

[Chris Wejr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely worth a read but I found some chapters much better than others. Lavoie's view of rewards is a bit confusing as he states over and over that they do not work... Yet her encourages them in some areas of the book. I enjoyed the narratives that Lavoie uses to share his message as there are many in which parents and educators can relate. Overall, I would recommend this book and key on the chapters that are relevant to you. Also, check out his YouTube videos as they share his messages as well.

[Elizabeth Dillingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book I learned so much from it. I actually had to read this book for a conference I am going to. He is going to be the speaker. This book and the theory are right on target. I am currently using his theory in a classroom at a school where each student is paired with one teacher. It is the only one on one school in the nation. The motivation ideas and techniques are very practical. I actually have been using them on other people as well. I am impressed.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. This should be required reading for every school teacher - but it is also very helpful for parents. I don't think the title of the book is very fitting, but oh-well. Great tools to use in working with children. There were a couple of points I didn't agree with, but I did end up buying the book so I could refer back to it.

[Krisanne Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. All middle school teachers should be required to read this book. It has changed what I think about kids who aren't motivated. They actually are motivated, just not in perhaps the way that we hope our students would be! Lavoie gives great tips on how to figure out your students, and also has a section to help parents motivate their children. Loved every minute of it!

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This long book could have been half as long and much better if the author has addressed only teachers or only parents, but by trying to deal with both, the book was way too long. The idea of categorizing kids by what motivates them is a good idea, just like using a student's preferred method of learning. But I could have done without the rest.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the mother of an unmotivated, struggling, generally unhappy child, this book gave me a lot of hope. It was teeming with good strategies and I would recommend it to all who come in contact with students (parents, educators, admin, all else). I did get the impression it's geared more for early Ed.

[Kevin Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid text full of good reminders. Nothing struck me as earth-shattering, but I did find myself employing many of the concepts found in this book in my teaching. Therefore, a worthwhile read and a crash-course in teaching methodology that takes into account a more holistic approach to each unique child and situation.

[Joneetha Pralou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Addresses how to engage children that are smart, and have tuned out for any variety of factors. A must-read for any parent. It's a book I'll keep, and refer to frequently through my child-rearing years.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

All teacher and parents need to read this, very quick and resourceful.
Rick Lavoie just tells you how it is and avoids all the over-commercialized crap that too many schools and teachers buy into too quickly, and abandon shortly thereafter.

[Ken Mackinnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most valuable part of this book was the individual chapters about different types of student personalities and motivation tips that work. Other than that, it seemed at times that the author's personal examples were merely made up to fill space.

[Katrina Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a lot that I agree with in Lavoie's book and I plan to implement many of his strategies with my coaching and tutoring clients. I am going to keep the book around as part of my go-to for advice when I feel stuck with a student.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike and I attended a lecture by this author and we immediately bought his book. He has a ton of great strategies and insight into how to better connect with, communicate with, and motivate your child (or really anyone). This book helped me be more thoughtful in how I approach people.

[Ginnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent information - just beginning

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Lavoie is a genius

[Tracy Bailey]

great book about reaching reluctant learners

[Cari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this to everyone. I can't wait to get my own copy and read it again.

[Brigitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a teacher or have children, this is a book that you will want to read - and re-read. Thought it was quite interesting.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. It is helpful for parents and educators. I have passed it on to other teachers at the school I work at.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know when something makes you think, but then at the same time seems like it should have been obvious all along? It's like that. Good one.