How to Protect Your Child’s Intrinsic Motivation with Dr. Gina Riley

What helps kids stay curious, motivated, and connected to who they really are?In this episode, I’m talking with educational psychologist, professor, researcher, and longtime unschooling parent Dr. Gina Riley about intrinsic motivation and Self-Determination Theory — a framework that has shaped both her academic work and the way she raised her own son.We talk about:The three things that support intrinsic motivation: competence, autonomy, and relatednessWhy freedom and choice matter so much in learningWhat it looks like to let children develop interests that we might not have chosen for themHow unschooling supported Gina’s son in becoming his own personWhy knowing your values can make parenting decisions feel much clearerThe importance of protecting curiosity, joy, and the precious time we have with our kidsGo DeeperExplore Self-Determination Theory: https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/Learn more about Dr. Gina Riley: https://ginarileyphd.com/✨ Grab the free Self-Schooled Parent Toolkit: https://www.self-schooled.com