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

[Trillian]

they don't have any place in a kinder/preschool room IMO. The kids are just too young to really get what the point of it is - all they will see is that they get stars for being good and then have stars taken away if they are bad. However that said, I can see merit in having them in the classroom for older kids. Our school has them in the form of a points chart with 4 levels - blue award is first, them smiley badge, silver bar and then gold medal. With the aim being that they attain a gold medal by the end of the year. It does really help a lot, especially with the younger kids because developmentally, they haven't really developed intrinsic motivation - so it has to be extrinsic and then as they get older they learn to do it for themselves. With the older kids at school they don't get points as often and they do really have to work for them, but for the little kids, they get them for sitting up straight and being a good listener etc. It's a program that works well. Other schools I have been in have used a similar thing but they get end of term rewards like movie afternoons, and a pool party in summer etc. at the boarding school DS1 goes to they also do similar with kids on the highest level getting additional privileges.

[wysiwyg]

It does really help a lot, especially with the younger kids because developmentally, they haven't really developed intrinsic motivation - so it has to be extrinsic and then as they get older they learn to do it for themselves.

This is something I often wonder when I read things about need for intrinsic motivation for younger than school age in particular - that can they really grasp concepts enough to 'get' intrinsic motivation. I don't know sometimes I really struggle with actually myself understanding why really I need DD to do something (e.g. getting out of car and into the house without a fuss/drama and within a reasonable time frame) - so she should want to do that for what reason - to make me happy? but really taking ages and wandering and dawdling makes her happy? so to me something on a chart seems like a good way to encourage her. Things with a consequence like treading on toys and them getting broken etc I am ok with and work fine with her - but there are some things when she says "why?" I do really struggle for what reason can I give her that should make her 'want' to do it intrinsically rather than for a sticker on a chart.

DD goes to kinder 3-4 program at her daycare - they don't appear to do sticker charts etc, but she often comes home with a stamp on her hand which is a reward for something or other (normally tidying up related) - I do think a star chart on the wall seems a bit over the top for kinder (I don't disagree with rewards totally though because I think it is very prevalent in the adult world also and therefore is just a part of life).

[Frangipani Lou]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Frangipani Lou]

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.