Children Quote by Gail boushey and Joan Moser
““We know and believe in our hearts that children become more engaged, motivated, and successful when they have choice over what they read, what they write, and the order in which they schedule their days. Nevertheless we have found it hard to give up being in control of their literacy choices. Then we think about our own need for choice. We realize we have much in common with our children. There are days when we come to school ready to settle in and get right down to business. Other days, working alone doesn't seem as enticing, so we collaborate with our teaching partners. Our needs tend to dictate how we organize our time and activities. If a quiet morning of preparation is interrupted by a staff meeting, our minds and bodies resist. We are motivated, engaged, and productive when we are in control of our schedules. We know the expectations of our jobs and want to be trusted to choose the order of our daily schedules and the approaches we take to meeting them. Why should our children feel any differently?””
About This Quote
People crave autonomy in learning and work; when given choice, motivation and performance rise, yet educators cling to control, mirroring their own need for schedule autonomy.
In simple terms: Autonomy boosts engagement and success.
Key Takeaway
Choice fuels motivation.
Themes
autonomy
motivation
education
self‑direction
control
Mood
empowering
reflective
optimistic
Type
statement
observation
call to action
When to use this quote
- designing classroom reading lists
- scheduling student project timelines
- allowing students to pick writing topics
- flexible lesson planning for teachers
- collaborative staff meetings
Key Concepts
choice
engagement
productivity
trust
Practical Applications
- Implement student‑choice reading programs
- Create flexible teacher scheduling policies
Questions to Reflect On
- How might granting students more agency reshape classroom dynamics?
- What structures can support both teacher and student autonomy?
