School can be tough for any kid, but it's even harder for those with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. These students often face extra hurdles in staying motivated and getting along with peers. The way friends influence school enthusiasm is not well understood for these students.

    Let's dive into what we do know. Everyone starts with some drive to learn. This drive can grow or shrink based on how much freedom, skill, and connection a student feels. Freedom means having a say in what and how they learn. Skill is about feeling good at what they do. Connection is about feeling close to others, especially friends.

    For students with big challenges, making and keeping friends can be really hard. This can make school feel even more difficult. These students might struggle more with feeling like they belong or that they're good at anything. This can make it tough for them to stay interested and motivated in school.

    Think about it. If you're always feeling left out or like you're not good enough, it's hard to want to try. This is where friends come in. Having good friends can make a big difference. They can help a student feel more connected, more skilled, and more in control. All of these things can boost motivation.

    But it's not always easy. Students with big challenges might push friends away or have a hard time making them in the first place. This can make school feel even more lonely and hard. It's a tricky cycle to break. That's why it's so important to figure out how to help these students build strong, positive friendships. It could be the key to unlocking their motivation and success in school.

How Friends Shape School Drive for Kids with Big Challenges

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