Understanding and cultivating a child's locus of control is central to nurturing their self-esteem and independence. Let’s start by answering, what is a locus of control?

Locus of control refers to how one perceives the control they have over events and outcomes in their life - a spectrum ranging from an internal (inside a person) to an external (outside a person) locus of control.

People with a predominant internal locus of control believe their actions and abilities influence their outcomes.

For example, if they do well on a test, they are likely to believe that it was because they studied hard or a result of their skills. Similarly, if they face a failure, they think it's due to their lack of effort or skills. These individuals tend to be more self-motivated, have higher self-esteem, and are more likely to take action to improve their circumstances.

People with a strong external locus of control view external factors as the primary influences on their outcomes and often need directives and praise from others. This approach, while it has its place, can leave a child overly reliant on external validation to determine what they should do and how to feel about themselves.

For example, if they do well on a test, they may believe it was because the test was easy, or they got lucky. If they do poorly, they may attribute it to an unfair test or bad luck. People with a strong external locus of control often feel like they do not have, or they have less control over their lives, which may lead to feelings of helplessness.

The Nudge Kids system cultivates a healthy balance. We believe a child should learn that while their actions have a significant impact, some external factors are simply beyond their control. This understanding creates resilience, reducing the risk of excessive self-blame or a feeling of helplessness.

Our system is engineered to initially draw upon external motivation, with children earning points and redeeming rewards. This approach is designed to engage and motivate your child. However, our goal is to gradually shift this locus of control. As children conquer challenges and acquire new skills, they begin to understand that their efforts directly contribute to their success thereby shifting the control from external (rewards) to internal (skills/motivation).

Over time, the external motivation of points and rewards is replaced by the internal satisfaction of competence, progress, and mastery. Children then understand the value of their actions, their impact on outcomes, and how these outcomes shape their lives.

In the process, Nudge Kids establishes a solid internal locus of control - a vital stepping stone in early childhood development and a skill internalized through their lifespan.   Our task and reward system subtly ‘nudges’ children to develop their internal locus of control and essential life skills, which sets them up to be self-driven, confident, and resilient individuals.