The Pros and Cons of Using Rewards to Manage Children's Behaviour

(Photo 118478201 / Child © Katie Nesling | Dreamstime.com)

As an education consultant who has worked with many parents and teachers of children with additional needs, I have noticed that rewards are often used to manage children's behaviour.

In particular, some approaches geared towards autistic children heavily use rewards to encourage the child to perform certain tasks or behaviours. While rewards can effectively promote positive behaviour, it is crucial to consider the pros and cons of this method.

PROS of Using Rewards

Motivation: 
Rewards can be a great way to motivate children to achieve their goals. By offering a reward for good behaviour or completing a task, children are likelier to stay on track and work towards their objectives.

Positive reinforcement: 
Rewards are a form of positive reinforcement that can help children understand desirable behaviours and encourage them to repeat those behaviours in the future. For some children, a "well done!" or a big cheer is motivating enough to complete a task. Other children may be more motivated by being able to do a favourite task as a reward, such as being allowed to play in the garden once they finish their tabletop tasks.

Encouragement: 
Children with disabilities often need more time, practice, and effort to master new skills. Rewards and encouragement can be a great way to boost their confidence. Set up tasks that you know the child can successfully achieve with a little effort, and acknowledge their achievement once they complete it. Children will see themselves as capable of mastering new skills, boosting their confidence and motivating them to keep trying new tasks. 

CONS of Using Rewards

Dependency: 
The use of rewards can lead to a dependency on external incentives rather than an internal motivation to behave well. Over time, children may only behave well when they know a reward is at stake, which can be detrimental to their long-term development.

Short-term gains: 
Rewards can be a quick fix to manage behaviour, but they may not address the underlying issues causing the behaviour in the first place. The behaviour will likely persist without addressing these issues once the rewards are removed.

Cost: 
Depending on the reward system used, rewards can be costly, not only in terms of money but also time and effort, and this may not be sustainable in the long run. In addition, some children may respond poorly to the rewards offered, making the system ineffective.

***

While rewards can be used to manage behaviour effectively, in certain situations, it is important to consider the pros and cons before implementing this method. 

As an education consultant, I have used rewards with my children and many of my students, but only as part of a broader educational plan.

As with any approach to behaviour management, it is crucial to consider each child's individual needs and tailor the approach accordingly. Combining techniques, such as positive reinforcement, consistent boundaries, and clear expectations, maybe the most effective way to promote positive behaviour and long-term development.

If you want to learn more about supporting your child's behaviour, you can join another Masterclass on Behaviour I will teach soon.

Do you want to learn more about how to prevent problem behaviour and how to respond when they occur?

I often teach a Masterclass on preventing and responding to challenging behaviours.
This Masterclass is suitable for parents and educators of children with developmental delays, Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities, speech and language delays and autistic children from 2 to 6 years of age.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Now it's your turn.

What's your experience using reward systems with children? Let us know in the comments section below so we continue to learn from each other.