MOTIVATING FACTORS IN ADULT LEARNING: ATTITUDES OF PARENT’S RAISING CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Abstract

Scientific problem: what factors motivate parents of children with Down Syndrome to learn, and what is the role of adult educator? Research objective: parents, raising children with Down Syndrome, motivational factors to learn and the role of adult educator. Research purpose – to use theoretical analysis and empirically reveal motivational factors of learning of parents raising children with Down Syndrome. Research problems: 1) analyze children with Down Syndrome, theoretical aspects, and proof importance of educational improvement for parents; 2) to find out what factors motivate adults to learn, as well as to show the role of adult educator within this process; 3) to conduct empirical study and to identify parents raising children with Down Syndrome, attitudes towards their motivational factors of learning, and the role of adult educator. Research methods: 1) analysis of scientific literature; 2) survey analysis.

Research results. Based on completed study it was revealed the most effective learning motivating factors during the annual conferences to commemorate the Children with Down Syndrome Day. From inner factors the most important was the following – “I want to understand my child better”. The external factors are those that are related to the learning environment learning methods and contents, alignment of work and studies, parental motivation to learn from interesting lectures, actual topics, and kind adult educator. After completed research of adult educator’s motivational role in parent’s lives raising children with Down Syndrome, it was revealed that the parents’ help comes from – adult educator, respecting the motivation to teach, creating learning programs depending on needs, reviewing the real-life examples, helping to prioritize learning goals and accepting challenges; determine the timelines, understanding effective learning organizational methods for adults, accepting criticism, and dealing with problems and conflicts, promoting different – new and positive way of thinking. This research helped to come to conclusion, that adult educator role is very important for parents’ motivational learning, and its success depends how effectively it will be adjusted for parents’ motivational factors.