Rewarding good or "not bad"

In article ,
"Welches" wrote:

I'm coming from the view of #1, who sits still, listens and obeys (at school
anyway!!) and is at the top end of her form. Her teacher commented that she
"coasts" the academic side, and still is at the top. Certainly she produces
much better work at home than she does at school.

At various times she has commented that you get more rewards at school by
being "not bad" than being always good. It's been comment before but I'm
beginning to sense a frustration, as often these other children are getting
rewards frequently that she would like to have occasionally.
rest snipped

My school distinguishes academic and sporting excellence at annual
prize-givings and at report times, but good behaviour is rewarded much more
frequently.

Each day, every teacher issues a couple of yellow Happy Cards to children in
their class who have worked hard/worn their hats all week/been obedient and
respectful of others -- that is, they are caught *being good* . When you get
five Happy Cards, you hand them in and are awarded a Tickled Pink (guess what
colour!) in class, and applauded. After three Tickled Pinks, you receive a
blue school merit certificate -- this is awarded at school assembly, as are
all the higher level awards. Three Blues, and you get a Principal's
Medallion. Three Medallions, and you get a VIP badge to wear on your uniform.

I think the frequency of awards has had something to do with its success.
It's within the reach of any child to get a Happy Card relatively easily, so
both the quiet compliant children *and* those who struggle with self-control
are rewarded reasonably often. Statistically, you'd expect every child to
receive at least one merit certificate "for exemplary behaviour" a year.

Note that these rewards are intangibles: as in adult life, the reward for
good behaviour is respect, not chocolates or toys.

I think you owe it to the school to point out the problem with their system,
and to mention the conversation you overheard. It's disturbing for children
to be so cynical, and it must be very obvious for so many kids to have picked
up on it!

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

http://chookiesbackyard.blogspot.com/