DISC for Young Students' Motivation and Engagement

The prominent American author Brian Herbert has said, “The ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” This is a good reminder for every teacher and parent as they all have to struggle sometimes with discovering new ways to develop their children or students’ skills to learn as well as maintain their learning motivation. And since every child has a unique personality, the same approach will not work equally on everyone. Increasing learning motivation and classroom engagement can be achieved with the application of DISC.

DISC is a behavioral tool that not only helps understand people, but also guides you to the preferred ways of communication according to one’s personality style. The PeopleKeys Children's DISC distinguishes 4 main types of children’s personalities, can be applied with students older than 8 years, and will help parents and teachers understand the inner world of their child’s mind to be able to adapt their communication and teaching preferences accordingly.

DETERMINED CHILD

If you feel as if you are in a permanent contest, then you're probably dealing with a D-Style child. These children are full of energy and determined to achieve their goals. They are motivated by challenges, so if the learning process has a tangible award like a certificate or brings a place in the school hall of fame, they will be unstoppable. These kids are very independent and this may cause some distress, so try to teach them to be team players.

INFLUENCING CHILD

If your student is always active, outgoing and loves to have fun, then this an example of the I-Style child. These children love to chatter, they are very sociable and full of smiles. At the same time, they are easily distracted and need help to get organized and avoid procrastination when it comes to projects and homework. To support their learning skills, help them prioritize and balance between work and play.

STEADFAST CHILD

Do you have a child that is always calm and friendly by nature, and is loyal and devoted? This is not a teacher’s dream come true, but the S-Style child. These students work hard to complete their assignments, but prefer to do one project at a time. Avoid overloading them with multiple tasks at once and have in mind that they do not like to feel pushed or rushed. To help them develop their learning skills, provide step-by-step instructions and guidance for decision-making.

CONSCIENTIOUS CHILD

And there are these quiet and always seeming to be day-dreaming kids who will surprise you with detailed knowledge that surpasses the school curriculum. Don’t confuse this day-dreaming with distraction, as they are actually processing information in a complex and multi-leveled way. These kids are organized and take pride in their achievements. They have realized early on that learning is not a choice but a must-do. You can help them be more sociable by encouraging them to take part in team activities and be more spontaneous. Also, guide them to see the big picture as they tend to focus on the details.

A 10-minute questionnaire can completely change your insight on the best learning development approaches for your child or student. The Children's DISC will provide you not only an overview of all DISC behavioral styles, but also with your child’s specific personality. The resulting report also contains tips for improving your communication and creating a positive relationship based on your child’s personality preferences.