MASLOW

As part of looking at our struggling students, we need to understand what might be causing their learning struggles.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted within a pyramid.

The bottom two lines of the pyramid are the foundation of a person needs, their basic needs.  These need to be met to a satisfactory level for the person to achieve their psychological needs.

These five levels can be divided into deficiency needs and growth needs. The first four levels are often referred to as deficiency needs (D-needs), and the top-level is known as growth or being needs (B-needs).

Deficiency needs arise due to deprivation and are said to motivate people when they are unmet. Also, the motivation to fulfil such needs will become stronger the longer the duration they are denied. For example, the longer a person goes without food, the more hungry they will become.

Our communication with families and the more information we have about students, the more effectively we can develop their psychological needs and help students achieve their basic needs.