PAYING FOR GRADES NOT AN EFFECTIVE MOTIVATOR
by Patty Novicki
February 17, 2010
Experts say paying for grades is not an effective motivator
You're worried about your child's math grades. Then she makes a suggestion. "I would do better if you paid me for every A on a math test," she says.
Should you get out your wallet? No, say most experts on motivation. Here's why paying children for good grades is not an effective motivator:
* It puts the emphasis in the wrong place. If you promise your child $1 for a good grade, she'll be working for the money. She may find that she wants the dollar so badly that she's willing to cheat to get it.
* It doesn't help your child learn the satisfaction of doing a job well. Children need to learn the joy that comes just from doing something to the best of their ability. There's a lot of pleasure that comes from walking into a newly-cleaned room. There's great pride in handing in a paper that was the best your child could do. Those are the rewards your child ought to be working for.
* It puts all the focus on the outcome. Children need to learn the importance of sticking with a challenging subject. They need to learn that practice really does make perfect. Putting all your attention on a reward at the end of the process will make it harder for your child to learn those lessons.
So what should you do? Let your child know that school is important. Set aside time and space for her to do homework. Celebrate her successes with time spent together. And keep your money in your pocket!
Reprinted with permission from the February 2010 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2010 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Melissa Kossler Dutton, "How to Motivate Kids to Succeed in School," Columbus Parent Magazine, www.columbusparent.com/live/content/issue/stories/2009/08/01/cpfeature_grades.html.
