Paying children to get
good grades is a debatable subject for many. Parents who advocate it have
several reasons why they provide their kids with an "academic
allowance." Opponents are concerned it sends the wrong message - that it
is the grade that really counts and not the child's efforts. Some think it sets
children up to lack motivation, not just in school but also in other areas,
unless earning money is at stake. While these criticisms are valid, many
parents disagree.
Benefits
for Paying for Good Grades
Benefits for paying kids
for receiving good grades are:
- It provides an incentive to maintain high
grades. Motivation comes in
various forms and sources. Some children enjoy acing a tough test, making
the honor roll, or love a challenging class or excelling in school in
general. Others just need the extra push. A monetary reward can be a
lingering incentive that hovers in the back of the child's mind when they
may be tempted to slack off just a little bit.
- It highlights the importance of
education. By providing your child
with money when they receive decent grades, it sends kids a signal that
you're serious about their education.
- It might save money in the future. It is known that high-achieving students have better chances of earning merit-based aid and scholarships when they enroll in college. Because paying for grades provides kids with the extra motivation to work for these good grades, it could just be a strategic investment. And, while numerous factors determine if a student will receive a third-party scholarship or merit aid, it certainly doesn't hurt for them to have good grades.
Establish
a Plan
If you are considering
paying your children for good grades, you need to go in with a plan. For
instance, if you are not fond of the idea of rewarding your child money to get
good grades, perhaps you can motivate them differently - maybe a little more
screen time. But you should insist they complete all homework before you allow
this reward.
You will also want to
provide a certain level of "quality control" by looking over their
assignments first. This can help you identify areas where they may be
experiencing difficulties and will provide you with a chance to offer assistance
when required.
You can choose to pay
your reward in cold, hard cash. You can also choose alternatives, like a trip
for ice cream or dinner at a favorite restaurant.
Regardless of what
incentive you offer, be sure you provide them with verbal encouragement and
praise if they work diligently on their assignments. Even if they did not do
well on a particular task, let them know how proud you are of them for putting
in the effort.
Kids
and Finances
Offering an academic
allowance can also show your child you value education and spend money on
things you prioritize in life.
Even after your child
has earned their incentive, there are still more life lessons they can learn.
For instance, they can understand a certain amount of work or effort is
involved in earning money. This might encourage your children to save and spend
money more wisely as they grow up.
Takeaway
Both sides of the debate on whether to pay for good grades have valid arguments. Whether academic allowance works well will depend on the child. If you decide to pay for good grades, it is good to explain your reasoning to your child. Providing an academic allowance without explanation might not produce the results you're looking for.
