Should You Reward Kids For Good Work With Treats And Prizes?

According to a recent NY Times article, the debate as to whether or not you should reward kids for doing homework, chores, or other expected behavior, continues to rage. Some psychologists think that it is the quickest way to get kids to do what you want. But there is also research that suggests that when kids just work for rewards, they don’t learn to value the task, and when the rewards are removed they stop doing what is expected.
In my opinion, this debate misses three essential points. First, we have to remember that kids are different. Some kids need very little to motivate them and others need a lot. If a child is willful and oppositional, we can assume that he or she needs more motivation to behave appropriately. In that case, a tangible reward system, such as a point system with a chart and a “rewards menu” is appropriate. If a child is already easy-going and eager to please, then there is no need to add an extra incentive.
Secondly, we have to make sure that rewards are given in a systematic way. Often parents and even teachers are inconsistent in the way that they give rewards, which can confuses kids can even make a behavioral problem worse.
Finally, we have to think of reward systems as short-term. If children are learning a new behavioral habit (for example making their beds or doing homework without supervision), then they often need extrinsic, concrete rewards. But once the habit is learned, there is no need to continue the rewards. Generally, it takes about 21 days to learn a new behavioral habit and that is when most reward systems can be phased out or eliminated.