Is constant rewarding good for child development?
It is a common notion that rewarding children helps them develop a habit or behavior faster. Truth is rewarding does makes children do things parents wants them to, but constant bribing children is a major mistake many parents commit.
There is no doubt that when a child is praised and rewarded for his academic performance or for eating healthy food, he tends to do it without making any faces or cribbing. When a child is bribed on frequent bases he is no longer able to do things for his own sake, thus children fails to recognize the importance of inculcating good behavior or habits in life. Due to constant rewarding, a child no longer does things right for the satisfaction of doing it well, for purpose of learning and growing. There would be no hard work, self satisfaction and self discipline.
Materialistic bribing like money, toys and chocolates can make a child selfish and egotistical, as when asked to do things without any offer in return he would retaliate and refuse to obey.
While repeated bribing might prove to be a mistake, rewarding too has its benefit if done practically using right alternatives. Parents shall reward their children for their good performance at social and academic level, but the reward need not be gifts and money all the time. Praising a child in itself is a reward and values more than any materialistic one. Often, when praised for their accomplishments children tend to learn more and attain self-worth. A big hug or a pat on the shoulder makes them feel good about their work.
Encouragement makes a child grow, learn and experience things without any selfish motive behind it. Challenge you child to new heights of achievement by encouraging him on every step. Words like ‘I’m proud of you’ or ‘you make me proud’ do what even money and gifts can’t do.
On getting good grades, parents can take their children for an outdoor picnic, a movie or a delightful family dinner. This form of reward not only tells them that their achievement makes their parents happy, but also bonds a family closer.
Sit and talk of the achievement, behavior or the habit. Simple caring conversation with parents itself is a big reward for many children, as they see it an opportunity to gel with their parents, to communicate with them as well as this makes them see the worth of doing things for their own benefit.
Make sure that you do reward them materialistically too at some intervals, as this will boost their morals as well as encourage them without getting obsessed about them. Parents can either set intervals on their own or can use bigger and major achievements, as the time to present their children with materialistic rewards.
Lastly, do not reward your children with threats in order to make them do things you want. This way, they will do things your way but not cause it’s the right thing to do, but because if not done you will lash out at them.
Rewarding is surely a way to boost the moral and encourage a child, but only if done systematically, sensibly and through right mediums or alternatives.
