Sometimes the Push Is What Opens the Door

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The most mathematically gifted student I ever worked with initially resisted learning calculus.

He was already way ahead.

He liked puzzles.

He liked math that felt interesting, which really often just meant familiar.

But eventually…

He just wasn’t really progressing.

You see, there are levels of math that you have to climb in order to unlock the next thing.

And kids don’t always see the long game, so adults have to see it for them.

So this kid…

Once his parents and I pushed him to learn calculus…

He ended up LOVING it.

And now he’s doing serious math using ideas from this area that he originally resisted!

That’s why sometimes a push is what opens the door.

Further reading: Why Extrinsic Motivation Matters .

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