Editorial Review
Any child can be motivated to learn."If he only would apply himself..."
"She can do it if she puts her mind to it."
"He just doesn't seem to care."
"She's just not trying."
Motivation is the key to learning. But very few parents and teachers have an effective arsenal of techniques at their disposal. Enter educator and acclaimed author Rick Lavoie, who arms all those who deal with children with proven, effective tools and strategies they can use to encourage any child to learn and achieve success.
Lavoie's practical, innovative approach begins with a quiz that helps a parent or teacher identify -- using six different possible models -- a child's motivational style.
- Is she motivated by power?
- Does he need prestige?
- Does praise mean a lot to this child?
- Does contact with other people inspire this child?
- Does he like to do projects?
- Does she enjoy receiving prizes?
He then explores each motivational style in depth, presenting proven techniques, strategies, and scripts that can be used in the classroom and at home to break through a child's apathy and discouragement and inspire him to succeed and achieve.
Along the way, Lavoie explodes some common myths about motivation: for instance, he demonstrates that rewards, punishment, and competition are not effective motivational tools. He gives specific advice throughout for parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities and provides detailed instructions for how to create a motivated classroom. He outlines the parent's role, the teacher's role, and suggests ways in which they can work together to encourage children to reach their potential. The book's final chapter, "What Does Madison Avenue Know...That Maple Street Elementary School Doesn't," reveals what parents and teachers can learn from some of the most powerful motivators in our children's world: advertisers.
With empathy and understanding, backed by decades of experience in the classroom, Rick Lavoie gives parents and teachers the key to unlock any child's enthusiasm and responsiveness. The Motivation Breakthrough will revolutionize the way parents, teachers, and professionals reach out to and motivate all children.
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Customer Reviews
motivational tool 
2008-05-18
Richard Lavoie's book and DVD by the same name would best be used as a professional development piece for any school's faculty when studying how best to develop lessons with students' interest in mind.
Fantastic for any teacher or parent, not just those with "tuned-out" children! 2008-04-20
My big issue with The Motivation Breakthrough is that its subtitle, "6 Secrets to Turning On the Tuned-Out Child," makes it appear as if this book is for: (1) parents of kids with learning issues, or (2) education professionals. This book is a must read for ALL parents!
The majority of the book discusses six ways (they're all "P" words) that kids can be motivated. Want a list of ways to organize a good Project? What are characteristics of a good teacher/student (People) relationship? What are the pitfalls of Praise and how can it be given effectively? Why are most Prize systems destined to fail but how can they become a help rather than a hindrance to learning? How can you cultivate leadership skills in a child motivated by Prestige or Power?
...and those are just the high-level points. What might teachers learn from sports coaches? How can you better say "I'm proud of you?" Why is Pokemon so fascinating to children? Why should an allowance be unrelated to doing chores? What are unique ways to show affection? I could go on and on. This book provides an astonishing amount of insight and real-life tips for any parent or teacher.
Lavoie writes clearly and his points are well-organized. This is not just a book to read, but to buy; you'll want to flag, highlight, take notes in it, and refer to it often.
Things to Mull Over and Do If Possible. 
2008-03-29
Commandment #1 of any civilized society is this: Let people be different. Motivation is the key to learning. Children need positive motivation from a caring teacher and loving parents. It is a discouraging fact that many young and old black kids are shuffled out the door each morning to spend their days, their time and energies on the playground or asphalt jungle playing basketball aggressively with neighborhood bullies. As a result, a lot of these unfortunate little people are physically abused and emotionally stunted. There is no praise or any prestige (what's that) to motivate those who life this way; no book-learning, music, at or supervision. They are on their own, growing up in the streets. There is no a dult around to encourage these children to strive to reach their potential.
Six C's of a motivating classroom: Creativity, Community, Clarity, Conferencing, and Control. Eight motivators: Gregariousness: the need to belong; Autonomy: need for independence; Status: need to be important; Inquisitiveness: need to know; Aggression: need to assert; Power: need for control; Recognition: need for acknowledge; and Affiliation: need to associate and belong. Those with learning disabilities need special training and extra time and patience to overcome their self-imposed segregation, like the autistic students who need love and understanding as much as book knowledge.
Written by an experienced educator who knows of what he says. His expertise is needed in every crack and cranny of this continent, not just Boston.
Rick Lavoie is superb 2007-11-29
My son (now 15) has what we believe to be is a variation of nonverbal learning disability and I've read countless books over the years. After reading Rick's first book, I attended a workshop that he provided in our area and found him to be an exceptional speaker as well as writer. I also just read this latest book and it's one of the best I've read to date from any clinician, educator, etc. In my opinion, everyone should read this. It applies not only to children with "issues" but to everyone out there. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or manager/employer, it provides tremendous insight into how to truly reach people and also debunks the myth of laziness/lack of motivation. Rick Lavoie is a gift, especially to parents and teachers.
If you really care,read this. 2007-11-22
There is always a child whose behaviour/reactions are the cause for extra concern;not only from the educator's viewpoint but also from parent's and even that child's own. This book helps us to understand why things might be going wrong in a child's life and proposes solutions that really work.It has enabled a child I work with to gain a grip on his behaviour through facilitating a greater understanding of the way his mind ticks amongst the adults involved in his life.It could help you crack that case that is making you feel like you just don't know enough...seeing the tremendous change in this particular child's life has done it for me!
well-received! 2007-11-17
Any child can be motivated to learn."If he only would apply himself..."
"She can do it if she puts her mind to it."
"He just doesn't seem to care."
"She's just not trying."
Motivation is the key to learning. But very few parents and teachers have an effective arsenal of techniques at their disposal. Enter educator and acclaimed author Rick Lavoie, who arms all those who deal with children with proven, effective tools and strategies they can use to encourage any child to learn and achieve success.
Lavoie's practical, innovative approach begins with a quiz that helps a parent or teacher identify -- using six different possible models -- a child's motivational style.
- Is she motivated by power?
- Does he need prestige?
- Does praise mean a lot to this child?
- Does contact with other people inspire this child?
- Does he like to do projects?
- Does she enjoy receiving prizes?
He then explores each motivational style in depth, presenting proven techniques, strategies, and scripts that can be used in the classroom and at home to break through a child's apathy and discouragement and inspire him to succeed and achieve.
Along the way, Lavoie explodes some common myths about motivation: for instance, he demonstrates that rewards, punishment, and competition are not effective motivational tools. He gives specific advice throughout for parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities and provides detailed instructions for how to create a motivated classroom. He outlines the parent's role, the teacher's role, and suggests ways in which they can work together to encourage children to reach their potential. The book's final chapter, "What Does Madison Avenue Know...That Maple Street Elementary School Doesn't," reveals what parents and teachers can learn from some of the most powerful motivators in our children's world: advertisers.
With empathy and understanding, backed by decades of experience in the classroom, Rick Lavoie gives parents and teachers the key to unlock any child's enthusiasm and responsiveness. The Motivation Breakthrough will revolutionize the way parents, teachers, and professionals reach out to and motivate all children.
Rick does it again 2007-11-15
Rick Lavoie uses his many years of administrative and personal experiences to help the rest of us who have to teach and live with others who have special needs. After all, each of us has special needs and by making the world a better and more forgiving place for the "disabled", we're making it a better world for all of us! Rick uses anecdotes and specific strategies that really work. This book is well worth the price and definitely worth the time spent reading it. It deserves to be in everyone's library.
excellent reading 2007-11-12
This new book by Lavoie is excellent...it rejuvenates your thinking and offers new approaches well worth implementing.
Another clear and thorough book from Lavoie 2007-11-02
I purchased this book for strategies to help my daughter stay motivated in a new school program. Like Lavoie's previous book, It's So Much Work to Be York Friend, The Motivation Breakthrough is clear and digestible for parents.
For quickly assessing a child's motivational type and finding the targeted ideas for their type, begin in chapter three (at p. 107 in the hardcover edition), then skip to the relevant chapter for the child's type.
We found the book so useful that we bought additional copies for our daughter's teacher and the library of our school district's gifted and talented association.
Lavoie leads the field! 2007-10-29
Dr. Lavoie again shows keen insight into the plight of America's learning disabled students. His opinions are often controversial, but always thought provoking. In this book, he addresses not only the needs of the learning diabled child, but also the professional educator and parent. He is not afraid to challenge us to re-evaluate our view of the role of teacher, and by challenging us, compells us to reassess what dynamic teaching is all about.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who deals with a non-compliant student or child, and learn the difference between motivation and behavior modification. It's definitely a must for all special education teachers!
