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Is it a good practice to pay elementary school students cash rewards for getting good grades? Isn't this "bribing" the student? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages, and which is greater?

It should be noted that this is not a new concept, it has debated for decades if not centuries. Bill Watterson even joked about it in his famous "Calvin and Hobbes" cartoon series with Calvin approaching his dad with an offer of 1 dollar for each "D", 2 for "C" and so on. His father turns him down and Calvin turns to Hobbes and goes, "Darn, thought I could get an easy three dollars there". Calvin's Dad obviously thought it was a bad idea; was he right?

Up front, the idea appears to have several advantages. Giving cash rewards is a form of incentive and one that even children can understand. They can take those dollars and convert them to whatever they want, candy, games, or a day at the movie. It teaches them the value of hard work and achievement. Their achievement can be quantified by using money, simple and easy.

What then are the disadvantages? They are there, but a bit harder to define.

For starters, elementary school should mainly be about learning to learn the basics: reading, writing and arithmetic. It should also be about fun and having a good time; elementary school students are still children. It should also be noted that children start learning at different speeds and levels. Should you try to push your child by giving or withholding cash simple because they are not the best in their grade? It can put pressure on slower children and cause resentment between students, siblings and later on with the entire system.

Then there is the question what will happen when other students find out your child has readily available cash, and children talk, so will find out. Will they expect your child to pay and buy more things for them, and if he/she doesn't buy the candy desired, resent them for that? Will your child become more of a target for bullies or, even worse, make friends that just associate with them for their money? What does one do if funds suddenly become tight and the parent can't give out cash rewards for good grades? Does the child then feel it is not important to study and learn? Money is nice but it can become a problem as well as a solution.

It is better to encourage the child's love of learning rather than love of money. There are alternative forms of rewarding good grades. Take the cash and buy them their favorite type of books, new clothes or a science kit when they get good grades. These things are more intrinsic but valuable, and less likely to cause troubles!

Keep cash out of the elementary school system and save it for University!

Learn more about this author, James Johnson.
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