“Okay guys,” I shout, “it’s time to start cleaning up!”
Most of the toddlers in the class give me blank stares. A few of them reluctantly grab at the toys scattered across the floor, but they’re in no hurry to conclude their fun. This is a problem, because I have to take them back to their parents in five minutes.
“Everyone who helps clean up gets a lollipop at the end of class.”
Suddenly, the classroom becomes a whirlwind. Legos seem to fly off of the ground and into their designated bucket. Every toddler is a blur, scrambling to put away plastic food, baby dolls, toy dump trucks, and wooden train tracks. At the end of the class, they each receive a lollipop.
This is the beauty of incentives; when children are offered a reward for displaying a certain behavior, the behavior becomes more common. However, research shows that the constant use of incentives can actually harm psychological development in young minds.
Everyone is familiar with the words “positive reinforcement:” but what do they really mean? The concept of positive reinforcement is the use of incentives to encourage behavior by adding something to the equation; for example, a child who is offered money if they get good grades is more likely to strive for good grades. In theory, this seems like an incredible practice! However, in reality, the consequences are grim and can be long-lasting.
Positive reinforcement kills intrinsic motivation. This is the kind of motivation that comes from the inside; it drives you to do something because of genuine interest, not because you’re striving for a reward or avoiding a punishment. People who are intrinsically motivated are usually more engaged in their learning, more creative, and have higher psychological wellness than people who are extrinsically motivated—driven by outside factors such as rewards and punishments. When young children are constantly rewarded for their behaviors and actions, they develop a dependence on the reward that limits their ability to function without an incentive.
Intrinsic motivation isn’t the only thing limited by positive reinforcement; children’s learning mindsets are also affected. Constantly positively reinforcing behavior in children causes them to develop fixed mindsets—they begin to believe that they can’t do anything to change their levels of ability. Think of a straight-A elementary school student who always does well on tests; each time she gets an A, her parents shower her in praise and gifts. If that same student fails the next test she takes, she’ll be heartbroken. When she doesn’t receive the same rewards that she always has, she might even begin to believe that she’s not good enough academically. Constant positive reinforcement created a barrier between the student and her belief that she can improve.
Ultimately, incentives treat the symptoms instead of the cause, but the question remains: what is the best way to encourage healthy development while keeping some semblance of control?
One way that Virginia Beach teachers can foster healthy psychological development in the classroom is by encouraging students’ efforts instead of praising the outcome. Many students become discouraged when they put their all into an assignment, only to be met with a bad grade at the end of the day. In contrast, some students put little effort into their assignments but still receive good grades. In the long run, both types of students will have difficulty finding the motivation to complete their assignments; this can be avoided by making sure that students’ efforts are recognized and encouraged.
When a teacher notices that a student is putting effort into an assignment, regardless of the outcome, the teacher should give some type of encouragement; a simple “I see how much you’re putting into this assignment. Keep going.” can go a long way.
Another way that teachers can ditch incentives in the classroom is by incorporating student-led lessons in the curriculum. There are many ways to do this, including allowing students to take self-paced notes and choose different formats to complete projects in. Giving students choice in their learning environment lets their intrinsic motivation shine through.
Incentives are not the answer. Using them constantly to reinforce behavior can decrease motivation and create self-esteem issues that affect students in both their academic & personal lives. Instead, teachers should encourage effort, introduce student-led learning into the classroom, and do further research on the best ways to ensure that students stay motivated throughout their academic careers.
Lollipops optional.
