Awards for achievements in education - is it a good idea?
Giving some benefits or awards for definite success in studying is a very popular idea. It's used in kindergartens, schools, kids centers and by private teachers or parents.
Learn these letters, and you'll get a candy!
Study reading rules and you'll play a computer game!
Write these words, and get an award - a stick or a small toy.
Teachers and parents use awards like motivation for studying. But what is the effect of this method?
I started to think about it when I heard advice from my friend:
- If he doesn't want to do something, promise to give him a chocolate. I always do it with my kid! It works!
Well... I can believe it does work, but...does it mean a kid really want to do it, or he is just interested in the award? Of course, the 2nd variant.
And I am absolutely shocked when kids are used to help parents or to clean their own room just to get pocket money or candies.
they will do nothing Without candies???
I started to doscover this topic, and it turns out that many psychologists and teachers agree with me. Ising sawards like motivation leads to the change of inner motivation (interest to do something) by outer motivation (a desire to get smth).
So it means all awards just kill kids' wish to study! They don't wanna learn something new, they are waiting for candies or toys in the end of this "torture". That's it.
I think it's much better to make the process of studying interesting , not the award in the end of it.
Yes, it can be more complicated than just buying candies as awards, but it's worth it.