To Reward Students or Not: Intrinsic Motivation vs. Extrinsic Rewards
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Welcome to our yearlong series on Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers. Each week we will give you a new piece to the classroom management puzzle to have in place when you need it this school year. Think of it as a Lego kit just waiting to be built.
Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers: To Reward Students or Not: Intrinsic Motivation vs. Extrinsic Rewards
Introduction:
The debate over whether to reward students for good behavior has been a longstanding topic in education. On one side, rewards can be a quick and effective way to encourage compliance and participation. On the other, relying too heavily on rewards may undermine the development of intrinsic motivation—the internal drive to do something because it is meaningful or important, not because of external incentives.
As a behavior analyst, I’m here to unpack this topic, offering insights and practical strategies to foster intrinsic motivation while maintaining a positive and well-managed classroom.
The Case for Rewards: Why They Work (and Their Limitations)
Why Teachers Use Rewards
Rewards, whether stickers, points, or verbal praise, are a staple in many classrooms. Here’s why:
Immediate Reinforcement: Rewards provide instant feedback, reinforcing the desired behavior in the moment.
Building Routines: For younger students or those struggling with self-regulation, rewards can help establish positive habits.
Motivating Reluctant Learners: Extrinsic rewards can sometimes serve as a bridge for students who are not yet intrinsically motivated.
The Downsides of Rewards
While rewards can be effective short-term tools, over-reliance on them comes with risks:
Undermining Intrinsic Motivation: When students become accustomed to external rewards, they may lose interest in activities once the rewards are removed.
Equity Concerns: Rewards can unintentionally highlight disparities, with the same students repeatedly earning recognition while others feel left out.
Behavior Dependency: Students may perform only when a reward is at stake, creating a "what’s in it for me?" mindset.
The Power of Intrinsic Motivation
What is Intrinsic Motivation?
Intrinsic motivation occurs when students engage in behaviors or activities because they find them inherently rewarding. Examples include reading for enjoyment, solving puzzles for the challenge, or helping a classmate because it feels good to do so.
Why Focus on Intrinsic Motivation?
Long-Term Engagement: Students motivated by internal factors are more likely to sustain effort and interest over time.
Resilience: Intrinsic motivation fosters a growth mindset, where students see challenges as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles to avoid.
Emotional Development: Encouraging intrinsic motivation helps students develop empathy, self-awareness, and a sense of responsibility.
Transitioning from Rewards to Intrinsic Motivation
The shift from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation doesn’t mean eliminating all rewards overnight. Instead, it’s about gradually fostering an environment where students find value in their efforts and choices. Here are some strategies:
1. Focus on Relationships, Not Transactions
Children thrive when they feel seen, heard, and valued. Building strong relationships reduces the need for external motivators.
Practical Tip: Use "descriptive praise" that acknowledges effort and improvement rather than offering generic accolades. For example:
Instead of: "Good job!"
Say: "I noticed how carefully you added details to your drawing. That took a lot of focus!"
Why it Works: Descriptive praise emphasizes the student’s process and effort, reinforcing the joy of the activity itself.
2. Offer Meaningful Choices
Giving students autonomy helps them take ownership of their behavior and learning.
Practical Tip: Provide structured choices, such as:
"Would you like to work on your math problems with a partner or independently?"
"Do you want to complete your journal entry first or organize your materials first?"
Why it Works: When students feel in control, they’re more likely to engage meaningfully and take pride in their decisions.
3. Connect Actions to Outcomes
Help students see the natural consequences of their behavior.
Practical Tip: Use reflective conversations to link actions to outcomes:
"How do you think your kind words made [classmate’s name] feel today?"
"What do you notice about how your focus during reading time helped you finish the chapter?"
Why it Works: Connecting behavior to its impact nurtures empathy and internal satisfaction.
When to Use Rewards (Strategically)
There are moments when rewards can serve as helpful tools, especially for younger students or those with significant behavior challenges. The key is using rewards as a stepping stone, not a crutch.
1. Use Rewards Sparingly
Reserve extrinsic rewards for introducing new behaviors or reinforcing exceptionally challenging tasks. Once the behavior becomes more consistent, fade the reward gradually.
Example: If a student struggles with raising their hand instead of calling out, start by rewarding hand-raising. Over time, reduce the frequency of the reward while increasing verbal encouragement.
2. Pair Rewards with Intrinsic Cues
Whenever you give a reward, connect it to an internal benefit.
Example: When giving a student a sticker for helping clean up, say: "You really helped our classroom feel organized. Doesn’t it feel great to see everything tidy?"
3. Make Rewards Collaborative
Encourage teamwork and collective rewards that promote a sense of community.
Example: Instead of individual rewards, set a class goal for acts of kindness. Celebrate together with an activity like extra recess or a "choice day."
Fostering a Classroom Culture of Intrinsic Motivation
Building intrinsic motivation is about creating a classroom where curiosity, kindness, and effort are valued. Here’s how to cultivate that culture:
1. Model the Joy of Learning
Your enthusiasm is contagious. When students see you excited about a book, math problem, or science experiment, they’re more likely to mirror that curiosity.
Practical Tip: Share your own experiences of learning something new and the satisfaction it brought you.
2. Celebrate Effort, Not Perfection
Shift the focus from outcomes to the process of learning and growth.
Practical Tip: Create a "Growth Wall" where students can post examples of times they worked hard to overcome a challenge.
3. Create Opportunities for Leadership
Give students roles that allow them to contribute meaningfully to the classroom.
Practical Tip: Rotate responsibilities like "classroom greeter," "materials manager," or "discussion leader."
Why it Works: Leadership roles instill a sense of pride and responsibility, encouraging students to act for the benefit of the group rather than external rewards.
4. Encourage Reflection
Help students reflect on their behaviors and choices.
Practical Tip: Use journaling prompts like:
"What’s one thing you did today that made you proud?"
"How did you help someone else feel good this week?"
Why it Works: Reflection deepens self-awareness and reinforces the value of intrinsic rewards.
Key Insights About Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation is Contagious: When students see peers acting out of genuine interest or kindness, they’re more likely to follow suit. Encourage peer-to-peer praise and recognition.
Students Thrive on Purpose: Assign tasks with real-world significance. For example, if a student excels in organizing, ask them to help prepare materials for a class project.
The "Why" Matters: Explaining the purpose behind activities helps students connect with them. Instead of saying, "We’re writing because it’s part of the curriculum," try, "We’re writing letters to share our ideas with others and make our voices heard."
Conclusion
To reward students or not? The answer lies in balance. While extrinsic rewards can serve as helpful tools in the short term, fostering intrinsic motivation is the key to long-term success. By building relationships, offering meaningful choices, and celebrating effort, we can create classrooms where students are driven by curiosity, empathy, and a love of learning.
As educators, our ultimate goal is not just to manage behavior but to inspire it. Let’s empower our students to act not because of what they’ll receive, but because of who they’ll become.
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DID YOU KNOW…
Did you know I organize a FREE Facebook Group for Mastering Classroom Management? We are gearing up for our school year quarter sessions, so if you’re looking for a simple way to improve your classroom management join the already 200+ teachers that have signed up: Mastering Classroom Management Facebook Group
Your ebook GIFT: Empowering Primary Teachers: Effectively Manage Disruptive and Violent Behaviors in the Classroom
FINALLY…
If you enjoyed the tips in this post, you might also enjoy this series of videos Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers:
Expanding AI's Role in the Primary Classroom
Unlock the Power of AI in the Primary Classroom
Supporting a Student Being Bullied
What to do With a Bully in the Primary Classroom
The Science of Movement in the Classroom
10 Ways to Use Movement for Better Classroom Behavior
Why Incorporating Movement Into the School Day Improves Classroom Management
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Teach~Relax~Repeat
Lauren
