Should we give incentives?

[Rosebud2005]

Do any of you give rewards for passing units and exams?

Sorry, but I think punishing a child for missing a grade is awful. I get that it's really the lack of effort/laziness that you're punishing, rather than the grade itself, but surely, the punishment for laziness is the bad grade itself, no other consequence is needed!

There is a lot of research evidence to suggest that rewards harm motivation. Intrinsic rewards (the work itself brings its own rewards) are the only really successful motivational tool.

We tended to offer some sort of treat at key points (end of term) but try not to link it to an actual test or result.

But, if you have always offered such rewards it is hard to stop. We never did but I had done a fair bit of research as I am a teacher and this was something being floated for use in the classroom (vouchers etc) and I was instinctively opposed and pleased to see there was some research that agreed.

My children did well (both adults now) but we are a house full of readers which I think makes the most difference. Reading to, with and in front of children is the key.