It's not just that rewards are ineffective over the long haul, it's that they are counterproductive. They work in the short term, but at a great cost. In fact, two recent studies have found that children whose parents reward or praise them frequently tend to be less generous and caring than their peers. That might seem surprising, but a child who has been praised or rewarded for doing something nice has learned that the only reason to be nice is to get something for it. Like rewards, punishment may bring short-term results but do more harm than good in the long run.
Punishment reinforces the sense of shame.
If a child feels successful and confident, he is going to do far better in school. If he begins to lose confidence, that can become a perpetuating cycle. Valuing education in your family, being actively involved in your child's education, and creating realistic expectations for his academic efforts and success are cornerstones for a worthwhile educational experience. Encouraging your child to expect the best from himself and honoring all genuine efforts will go a long way toward having him establish high standards for himself. Judsen Culbreth recently appeared on Lifetime Live discussing report cards .