Wrong to reward worksheets?

Kelli - posted on 01/26/2010

I am all in favor of reward systems. I use them all the time. I give myself rewards for doing well at something, so why not my kids. Shoot I just gave my daughter the stickers and on the paper and that made her happy. She wanted to keep every paper that earned a sticker.

Tara - posted on 01/17/2010

If it works for him, I would continue. FIAR requires A LOT of time. Sometimes too much for boys. I have four boys and I know they would never be able to focus long enough to get through the curriculum. Maybe you can take the things you like about FIAR And create what works good for you guys. That is what I have done anyway....tailored each of their curriculum to what works for each individual child.

Selia - posted on 01/11/2010

In life as an adult we get paid to do work (at jobs anyway) so it is really just paralleling the real world. :) I say if it works, do it!

Sue - posted on 11/30/2009

W/ my son, it would be difficult to take a reward away, but we're only just learning about homeschooling.
We use rewards too. I wish I had thot to give him $5. for a reward. It would have been cheaper than the pony rides. LOL.
Actually I really want to get him out to our local farm lady's place that does the pony rides. (Another learning experience).
You might do well to read the conversation that followed when a member of this group asked about whether or not she should be pushing her daughter to write out her lessons.
There were a lot of really great answers there, in the vein of "everyone's learning style is different, and maybe your daughter could be drilled/lessoned/tested orally w/ better results..........." "Teach typing"? It's another kind of lesson, and teaches to a different part of the brain and doesn't cause the hand to get writer's cramp........
I personally have retained 30% at the most of what I learned in my entire school career thru my 3rd yr. of college. You see Public school lectures and text books did not fit my learning style.
I'm a visual and Kinesthetic learner. I've done very well for 10yrs. as a Certified Massage Therapist, because I remember my clientelle and what they've told me of their lives, by how their muscles feel, and can often extrapolate from that, what's about to happen in their lives, or guide them in dealing w/ current situations.
Remember children still have a lot of this same type of natural (intuitive) talent. Look to help them use it.

Michelle - posted on 11/27/2009

sound like a good plan to get the habit of writing started. To making writing more enjoyable buy him lots of different pencils and pens and markers and grips and all kinds of writing tools that can only be used when he is writing. Also I do not know why but for some reason kids love to write on walls and chalk/dry erase boards so hang freezer paper on a wall or a chalk board and let him go.

Carey - posted on 09/28/2009

I'm all for reward systems... sometimes its the only thing that works with my kids. 2 of my 4 have trouble focusing, etc. One has ADHD, the other is on the Autism Spectrum.. and sometimes that little extra push gets them involved on a day when they are just EH... then they get in to it. lol Who cares what others think, you do whatever works for your fam! :)



Carey

Tracy - posted on 09/25/2009

So far he is doing great with the reward system!

Michele - posted on 09/23/2009

Stickers are great I have hooked on phonics for reading and he loves the sticker chart! my son is 7. :)

Tracy - posted on 09/22/2009

Thank you both of you! The math worksheets we do are from a Kindergarted book learning to count by 2's, 5's etc...usually connect the dots then color so for him those are fun to do. The writing worksheets we are currently doing are also mostly coloring/following directions then writing a capital letter 5 times then the lower case ltter 5 times. I'm not trying to get him to write sentences yet..just his first name and a few letters :) I am doing this more to get him USED to doing more work than just oral. He goes to Religious School twice a month and has to be able to do some of this stuff there...and if he can't, well then there could be issues. So far he sticker system is working and I think I am going to stick with it for now...it iwll go away soon though!

Kelly - posted on 09/20/2009

Writing is a multi-functional activity insofar as it involves drawing the letters in proper order as a reflection of your thoughts. I would do the math worksheets orally (if you need the answers written down you can have him tell you the answer and then trace it, making a note at the beginning of the workbook.) Also I would do all the FIAR stuff orally as well, and have him trace the letters.



When he feels confident tracing, he can then move on to copying from what you've written. Then you can wean him to writing independently, with you helping his spelling along the way.



Don't worry about your penmanship. If it's sloppy you can work on improving your "hand" as you go -- it won't "ruin" him!



Six is really young. It's hard to remember that when he's the oldest/only -- but he'll be making leaps and bounds within the next six years! No need to rush.



The most important thing is that do you school "most days" of the year. Weaning from dependence to independence is important, but don't expect it overnight.



Hope this helps! I want to encourage you! You're doing a great job by asking for advice!



Kelly

Molly - posted on 09/18/2009

Well there are lots of people who use a similer reward program with their kids. I don't like it beacuse often it has them doing the work just to get the sickers rather then doing the work for themselves... at 6 they should be learning to love learning not being forced into worksheets they hate...



If you really feel the sheets are a must maybe another way besides worksheets? some kids just dont do well with worksheets.... OR suprise him with rewards - new books, games, tapes etc randomly for his good work. that way it isn't a tit for tat and more of a "hey kid you are doing so well lets celebrate!"



personally I would back of on the writting.... in waldorf schools a 6 year old would be a kindergartener and wouldn't even start reading/writting until first grade as now is supposed to be about creativity, play, and nature rhythms. Even just a temp backing off might allow him to not feel pressured and then you might be able to get him to write things that mean something to him... like a story about space men (or whatever he's into) You cat also just do the work oraly and let him develope writting in his own time at his own pace. at 6 i wouldn't be worried about it.