Star (reward) charts in kindergarten. Your thoughts pls.

**Livinthedream** · March 8th, 2013, 01:17 PM

So, how do you feel about them?(in a room of mostly 3-4 year olds)
Should they be on public display (where other parents/ kids can see them)?
Should the teacher be able to remove stars for "bad" behaviour?
Do you think the promote a culture of "I have more stars therefore I must be better/nicer than you?
Would you feel differently about them (the charts)if you child had the most the most stars (or the least)?
Your thoughts??

**onthefly** · March 8th, 2013, 01:24 PM

I don't like reward/sticker charts at all, as it doesn't encourage the development of intrinsic motivation to do the right thing. I tolerate them in a kindy/school setting since it seems to be the done thing and DS regards them as a pleasant novelty.
I do think there's definite potential for public shaming - even if the charts are not out in the open, everyone 'knows' who the bad kids and good kids are. Which leads to labels for the kids - the 'bad' kids have little motivation to try and do the right thing once they've been pigeon holed. They tend to get no chances and no benefit of the doubt, whereas the 'good' kids will. And always getting stickers because you're the good kid is pretty shallow and meaningless after a while.

**Livinthedream** · March 8th, 2013, 01:34 PM

I do think there's definite potential for public shaming .

This is my concern.

Can you tell my kid doesn't have very many stars ?

**Olive** · March 8th, 2013, 02:22 PM

Omg I'm horrified they do that

totally disagree with it, I'd discuss your concerns with the teacher

**HotI** · March 8th, 2013, 02:30 PM

I would hate that. I didn't even know that kinders did that.

**chody47** · March 8th, 2013, 02:57 PM

I think it depends on how they are done. I'm a teacher and I have one on a pin board. There's no reward for whoever gets to the end first (I hate these). My star chart has 10 spaces. When you get to the end you get some free time and then you are put back to the start. This means its never the case of all the 'good' kids in front and all the 'bad' kids near the start as it just constantly goes over and over and everyone gets rewarded. It seems to work. I hope parents don't see it as a negative (I've never thought of that side actually).

I don't think stars should be able to be removed. If you've earnt them you've earnt them. They shouldn't be taken away if you make a 'mistake'.

**No.5** · March 8th, 2013, 03:32 PM

I use one at home (for DS to learn his sight words) as that is what motivates him. They have something similar in DS' classroom except its buttons and if they get 10 in a week they get a certificate and to choose a prize out of a box.

It's at the bottom and of a wall behind the desks so not really 'in your face' and no-one seems bothered by who else has what.

I should probably mention that DS is 5 and is in prep/kindergarten/reception..

**Floweryfields** · March 8th, 2013, 04:06 PM

They don't work anyway in my experience. And they aren't really considered best practice in the industry anymore.

**Heaven** · March 8th, 2013, 04:07 PM

Nope, not cool. I would definitely not be happy with that :/ But I'm not big on rewards/punishments to change behaviour either.

**Snacks** · March 8th, 2013, 04:39 PM

I'm ok with it. It works well for some kids and the kids who don't have many stars (like my DD2) don't actually care that much - they are motivated by other things. I'm not bothered by it but I agree that removing stars is NOT on. I would be dead against it being used in such a negative way. Positive only.

**Arcadia** · March 8th, 2013, 05:07 PM

Nope not cool. I would be assessing the suitability of that kinder for my child.

I agree with madB about intrinsic motivations. Stars are so abstract and don't work for all children.

**Livinthedream** · March 8th, 2013, 05:16 PM

I think I will say something to the teacher.

I have no issue with good behavior being rewarded per se (tho, I tend to agree with you Mad B, you should be good/try hard because thats who you are, not because you get a star)

I guess I am just feeling like they are labelling my baby as "not as good" as so and so because he would rather play blocks than do crafts like the other kids (and therefore not be doing what he is told).

Sensitive mummy moment LOL

**Olive** · March 8th, 2013, 05:37 PM

[QUOTE/]

I guess I am just feeling like they are labelling my baby as "not as good" as so and so because he would rather play blocks than do crafts like the other kids (and therefore not be doing what he is told).

Sensitive mummy moment LOL[/QUOTE]

But that's up to the teacher to encourage him to do some craft and then go back to his blocks etc that's her job....not reward with a reward chart.

**Frangipani Lou** · March 9th, 2013, 08:33 AM

I agree with Ausgirl and Trillian.

I believe there is no place in a kindergarten for star charts.( It may be appropriate at home) It fits into the old rewards/ punishment model which is no longer considered professional or current practice In an education setting. It conveys an attitude of power and control instead of mutual equality, trust, respect etc. and goes against the quality practices and principles set out by the education department.
Sounds like a chat would be a good idea.

**Snacks** · March 13th, 2013, 05:16 PM

It fits into the old rewards/ punishment model which is no longer considered professional or current practice In an education setting. It conveys an attitude of power and control instead of mutual equality, trust, respect etc. and goes against the quality practices and principles set out by the education department.

Could you explain this further a bit? I don't really understand. I'm obviously not a teacher and haven't been at school for a while (shhhhhh! lol) but surely a teacher needs to have an element of 'control' in a classroom setting? School (and indeed most workplaces) have a structure that needs to be adhered to in order to work. How is a teacher supposed to effectively teach a class without a rewards/punishment system?

ETA: Sorry if I have just asked a question that needs 5000 words to answer

**onthefly** · March 13th, 2013, 06:34 PM

Ah! What an interesting question.
I guess there are differences between having boundaries and limits of acceptable behaviour and controlling people.
In very simplistic terms, the use of extrinsic motivators encourages people - and not just children - to conform to the wishes of the authority figure in order to receive rewards or avoid punishment. It doesn't really promote the development of the ability to judge what is right and act accordingly. Schooling, and education more broadly, should - I think - concern itself with the development of well-rounded individuals capable of discerning for themselves what is right and what is wrong and acting on their own conscience.

**Frangipani Lou** · March 13th, 2013, 08:14 PM

Ahh yup what Mad B said! Couldn't have put it better myself.

**Frangipani Lou** · March 13th, 2013, 08:19 PM

To love learning it has to come from within, not because a child wants their teacher to be happy with them and to receive a reward for it.
Think of the child who works hard and doesn't get the teachers praise or attention or who is great at things that aren't rewarded with a star. I wonder how they might feel and how it affects their self image.
A child can be pleased with themselves and have their efforts or learning acknowledged without needing a star from a teacher.
I hope this makes sense. I can give more examples after some sleep.

thread: Star (reward) charts in kindergarten. Your thoughts pls.

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