When it comes to rewards such as praise, sticker charts, timers, and similar incentives for children, it is important to consider their long-term effects:

• These rewards eventually lose their effectiveness.
• They may lead to temporary compliance but not genuine commitment or follow-through.
• Children can become self-centered, working for the reward rather than an intrinsic desire.
• Since these rewards are adult-controlled, they can be discouraging.
• They have the potential to interfere with a child’s self-esteem and sense of capability.
• Such methods devalue the importance of the task or action needed.

Moreover, punishment as a form of discipline should also be scrutinized:

Punishment trains children to act according to rules or fear, rather than understanding the rationale behind those rules.

When considering discipline methods, it is crucial to reflect on the following questions:

• What have you attempted as a method of discipline?
• What message does this method convey to the child?
• Is the approach reasonable and relevant to the issue at hand?
• Is the method teaching a skill that will benefit the child in the future?

Rewards vs Punishment worksheet