No bribes for doing homework, says head

PARENTS should not promise children money in return for doing their school work, a headmistress has said.

Offering youngsters money, treats and other benefits for scoring top grades may encourage them to work to pass a test, but it will not help them to stick with a subject, according to Julia Harrington, headmistress of Queen Anne’s School in Caversham, Berkshire.

She said there is evidence that explaining to children the long-term benefits of learning something, such as an instrument or a language, and tapping into a youngster’s natural curiosity and motivation, is more likely to help them master it.

Mrs Harrington said research has shown there is a difference between intrinsic motivation, such as children feeling in control of their learning, and extrinsic motivation, such as rewards.

She suggested that parents should try to trigger their child’s interest in a topic, explain why they might find it interesting and focus on long-term learning.

“Give them a reason that makes them want to do it,” she said. “Don’t say ‘I’ll give you a fiver if you get an A’ because they will get an A in the next test but they won’t stick with the learning.”