On Motivation
How motivated learning builds confident, curious, lifelong learners
Motivation is one of the most powerful forces in learning. When we feel motivated—whether in our jobs, our own reading, the personal projects we take on, or the hobbies we explore—the work feels meaningful. Challenges become invitations rather than obstacles, and we’re willing to stick with the task even when it’s hard. Every teacher knows this: motivation fuels learning, and a major part of our job is to keep learning engaging, relevant, and connected to kids’ lives. Because the truth is, even in the best classrooms, some schoolwork will be boring.
And although (or perhaps because) learning usually requires struggle, when learning is motivated by curiosity and excitement, we can most easily overcome the challenges inherent in the learning process, and we can do that joyfully. When a kid is genuinely excited about what they’re doing, they’re far more willing to push through the tricky parts. In other words, joy isn’t just a bonus in learning; it’s a tool.
As a learning designer and former classroom teacher, I’ve spoken with many parents whose kids feel bored, distracted, under-challenged, or overwhelmed at school. These feelings matter because when learning consistently feels negative or flat, kids begin to associate learning itself with frustration or boredom or anxiety. My primary goal as an educator is to help kids experience learning as something positive, meaningful, and exciting. That’s what creates a lifelong learner: a kid who believes they can grow, who sees challenges as opportunities, and who trusts their own curiosity.
One powerful way to nurture that identity is through hobbies and learning experiences outside school. If your kid lights up when practicing a new Tae Kwon Do form, figuring out a piano chord, mastering a craft, or learning a dance routine, they are experiencing what I call motivated learning. They’re discovering what it feels like to accomplish something with joy and excitement or to persevere through something tricky because they care about it. That feeling is foundational to inspired learning. When kids recognize and value that experience—I can do hard things when I’m motivated; learning is fun when I’m excited and curious—they can embrace a learning mindset that makes them confident, curious, joyful and motivated learners.
So what does all of this have to do with Nibblings?
Nibblings is built on the belief that cooking can be a deeply motivating learning experience for kids and their grownups. A recipe is more than steps on a page; it’s a project with purpose, a challenge with a delicious reward, and a real opportunity for kids to experience the positive struggle that drives learning. When a kid is excited to cook—because the recipe sounds tasty, because they want to share it with someone they love, or because they get to try out a new kitchen tool—their motivation carries them through moments of challenge. Measuring becomes math. Mixing becomes science. Following steps becomes executive function practice. And finishing a recipe becomes evidence of perseverance.
Whether the results turn out beautifully or a little messy, the learning sticks. Kids feel the satisfaction of effort, the pride of contribution, and the joy of creating something real. They begin to see themselves as capable learners, and that identity travels with them far beyond the kitchen.
At Nibblings, my goal is to help families create these motivated learning moments. Give your kid a recipe to try. Bake something to bring to a friend’s house. Let them feel that spark of excitement and watch how it carries them through challenging moments. Over time, they’ll learn to name what motivates them, understand what perseverance feels like, and recognize that life is full of opportunities to experience this kind of meaningful learning.
Help your kid find the hobbies and the recipes that light them up. Those are the experiences that make lifelong learners.
