External Rewards Motivate

As a parent, do you ever get tired of giving constant reminders, bribes or warnings to get your children to do what you want them to do? We want children to be self-motiated, so it is our job to gradually move them away from rewards and warnings to the satisfaction of meeting a goal without external motivation.

The beginning steps of goal-setting start with their desire to get some kind of treat or reward. Children often require some kind of bribe until they have learned to set and reach goals on their own. Fear of being in trouble also motivates, but instead of resorting to using fear, external rewards provide for an oportunity to move from extrinsic to intrinsic rewards. Working towards a goal or a reward can be a powerful motivational tool that will help children learn to delay gratification, set priorities and manage their time.

In my house, goal setting can be as routine as "If you have finished your chores, piano practice, reading and have cleaned your room, then you may be able to play the Wii tonight. " The incentive is something my kids (who are relatively new to video gaming) really want to earn. The expectations is that all of work must be finished before receiving the reward. It is just enough incentive to make them start these tasks without too much whining (...usually). The biggest difficulty that I face as a parent is to be consistent in enforcing these expectations. If I give in and let them play Wii when I have not made them finish their work, it makes it even harder when I try to enforce the rule next time. Putting work before fun is a simple first step for students to learn as they start to set and reach goals.

Earning Wii time is an extrinsic reward that motivates my own children. I want to live in the land where my children always put away their shoes and dirty clothes on their own, without a reminder or expectation of a reward. Slowly, gradually, and hopefully we'll live in that world someday. But for the time being, Wii time (or dessert!) helps to motivate them to finish their work.

At Emerson, every student is setting goals for achievement during our Skill Blitz. Please help us by asking your child about their goal, the possible difficulties in reaching their goal, and what would motivate them to meet their goal. As we endeavor to educate and rear our children, we may have to resort to some external motivation before we can build within them the intrinsic satisfaction of delaying gratification, working hard, using their time wisely, setting priorities and reaching even more lofty goals.

In the photo to the left, a teacher charts the class' progress in meeting class-wide Accelerated Reader goals. Walking students through goal-setting procedures can help students reflect on specific actions that are within their reach that can help make a large impact.

Without a doubt, reaching goals takes a lot of work. It's probably just as much work for you as it is for the children!