The most successful schools have a wide range of rewards and incentives to encourage and motivate children to keep the rules, behave well and work hard. Some people argue that children should not be rewarded for something they should be doing anyway. The outside world would argue otherwise – we know that motivators and incentives are more likely to get people working and succeeding.
If people acknowledge we are doing well and praise and encourage us, then we are more likely to want to do the same again. Praise and encouragement build self-esteem and a sense of value in the individual – these are as necessary to children and young people as water to growing plants.
Good schools will offer a range of different rewards and incentives; the first and most important being plenty of verbal praise. Teachers who manage behavior very successfully within the classroom use positive statements far more frequently than negative ones. Teachers who praise pupils who are behaving appropriately are more likely to reinforce this appropriate behavior in the whole class. Teachers who notice and comment on inappropriate behavior are more likely to reinforce the attention-giving potential of poor behavior.
Good schools will make sure that all youngsters have access to a reward system and not just the high flyers or disruptive children who are being encouraged to behave better. Children who work hard and are always polite, helpful and kind should be held up as an example and rewarded accordingly.
Children’s top reward is their parents knowing about their good behavior so it is worth asking how you will know your child has behaved well and the school is pleased with them. Other reward systems that reinforce verbal praise might include:
Class incentive schemes
This involves pupils earning points towards a whole class treat – pupils can earn points individually, or as a group or class. Peer pressure is towards obtaining the class treat and therefore eliminates the ‘teacher creep’ mentality. Treats could involve extra break time, watching a short video, playing a quiz, etc. Some primary schools have a special ‘choosing time’ known as Golden Time in order to reward good behavior.
Star charts
These are a familiar sight in the primary school and enable children to put a star on a chart when they have behaved well or worked hard. These can accumulate to gain a prize or certificate.
Stickers
Stickers have great visual appeal and a child wearing one usually gets extra praise from other members of staff for their achievement.
Tags: rewards and incentives