rewards for reading

[joy2grow]

DD will be 4yo at the end of Sept. In recent months she's been more engaged with books - choosing to "read" during the day, asking for more than one book before bed, and enjoying longer, more complex stories. I am thrilled to see her desire unfolding in a very organic, self motivated way based on curiosity and growing ability.

The issue in question is if/how to participate in the aspect of our local library's summer reading program that involves rewards for reading. We went yesterday for the first time. The national theme is Splash into Reading and so the focus is water. We listened to a book about fish and then enjoyed outdoor water play, crafting a boat, and a watermelon snack. It was well attended and lots of fun!

DD didn't see the display of prizes inside the library or chart that she is supposed to color in for every 15 min of reading. I tentatively signed her up and now I'm not sure how to handle it. There is a part of me that sees this kind of thing as bribery that could start an unfortunate pattern of my child wanting a reward for activity that is inherently rewarding. On the other hand, I wonder if I'm making too much of it?

[coop_mom]

aw, jeez, I hadn't even thought about this aspect of the summer reading program! we are participating because it is fun, and a teeny prize doesn't bother me and the boy loves it (he's almost 4)

our library does all sorts of great programs, entertainment, crafts, etc, so the prize is just one teeny part of it. we've been reading to him forever, and never done prizes before, so it's not like they're expected, just an extra added bonus

anyway, I just think it's fun, and it does encourage reading, so I say go for it!

--kristin

[One_Girl]

We have always participated in the summer reading program at our library and I have never seen it as a problem. We read anyways regardless of the prizes so it is a fun way for dd to earn free stuff. She loves moving up the levels and getting to pick out her own book when she completes all the levels. She also understands that it is something the library does that I don't do. Participating in the summer reading program has not given her the expectation that I am going to bribe her to do things at home. There are even some times that I do bribe her (behaving to some extent in the store and staying close = shopping cookie) and even that hasn't made her think that I am going to bribe her in other ways. If you aren't comfortable with it then you don't have to do it, but I don't think it is going to change your life into one in which bribery is a daily occurance. These programs do some good for kids also. My friend told me that she hated reading until the year when she did the summer reading program for the prizes. She found some books she liked and really got into reading and became a reader even after there were no more prizes involved.

[pbjmama]

Hm, I don't see it as bribery at all. More like keeping track of how much you read and at the end you may get a surprise! Just a little bonus for your accomplishment.

[joy2grow]

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences & for helping me with my perspective. I think using the word bribery is my OP was a mistake. Since she is already engaged in the activity the library is promoting, it will be seen a fun surprise and the way I present the chart & prize aspect will naturally influence how she interprets them. Since she has no clear sense of time, I probably wont go into that part too much.

I guess there is less to worry about than I first thought

[zeldamomma]

When we participated in our library's reading program, I found that it led to my kids only wanting to read for 15 minutes at a time. They read far less when they were concerned about the program, and enjoyed it less too. Our local schools require that kids read some amount everyday, so for school kids, the program makes a lot of sense because it's just continuing what they do all year, but with prizes. However, since we homeschool, my kids have no experience tracking their reading that way, and I see no need to start.

We don't sign up for the reading program anymore.

ZM

[AllisonR]

I don't personally like or use the reward system of charts, stickers... however, we occasionally come across them. And I have found my kids then just see the stickers, rewards.... as different places have different rules. Similar to the idea that kids instinctively understand there is a general set of rules at home, a somewhat different set at day care, a different set at grand parents house.... My DS brought home a math book from kindergarten, where after he finished each page he put a gold sticker in the corner. Sometimes he wants to do math at home, but only because he wants to. I don't have any stickers. Different places, different rules. And everything in moderation. I guess I feel the same way about stickers as I do about chocolate. Three times a day is too much, but every once in a while it's fun.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by joy2grow

On the other hand, I wonder if I'm making too much of it?

Honestly? Yeah, I think you are. It's not about rewards for reading... the programs are designed to get people to their local libraries.

[mamazee]

I think being consistently rewarded for things like reading can make reading less fun for kids. Have you read anything by Alfie Kohn, like Punished by Rewards or anything? You might want to google his name and you'll see his take on this. I will say that I think one summer reading program is not a big deal. But I think you're onto something with the question.

Here's one article: http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/ror.htm

[greenemami]

I didn't participate this year (dd is 3) because I felt kind of the same way as the OP-that is was kind of taking away that internal motivation to read just for the sake of reading. Also, my library does it all online by counting minutes and it was just too tedious for me to do, lol! When she gets old enough to log for herself, then she will be more than welcome to do it (unless it seems to be negatively effecting her reading of course), but until then I am just careful to not go to the library when the prize store is open.

[annethcz]

Nope, I don't think you're making too big of a deal about it. I've found that when my kids are forced to record their reading, they read less than they would otherwise. So we don't participate in the summer library programs, and we also opt out of school reading logs.

[meemee]

dd and i take part every year.

not to get dd to read. in fact i encourage her NOT to read.

however its a wonderful way to support the library - which is facing a lot of hardship esp this year here in calif.

the more parents keep this program going the more families who DO need this summer fun thing to do - have access to the program.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by mamazee

I think being consistently rewarded for things like reading can make reading less fun for kids. Have you read anything by Alfie Kohn, like Punished by Rewards or anything?

yep. I love his book Punished by Rewards!

I will say that I think one summer reading program is not a big deal. But I think you're onto something with the question.

agreed. We are at the library weekly, and not doing the summer reading program would be a big deal and sort of mean on my part. My kids like it.

I just keep it light a fun, and they aren't rewarded for reading the rest of the time.

My kids are older and are avid readers, so summer reading programs didn't ruin them!

[waiflywaif]

You don't have to tell her about it...why not just log her reading and then take her in for the prize? Especially since she's only 3, she's most likely oblivious to the "reward for reading" concept.

My DD (7) is an INSATIABLE reader. We do some of the reward things but don't really talk about it much since she reads so much anyway. I might say, "Oh, we should write that book down so we can turn it in to the library" or whatever.

[nextcommercial]

We didn't do it because of the reward, we did it for the participation and the fun. It was someplace to be, something to keep track of.

When our library was really small, and the town was just starting to be built, a new Pet store opened up. The pet store offered a fish for every child who completed the game. They didn't have to read a certain number of books, just color in a map section for every time they read or looked at books.

My daughter loved reading, and wanted a fish so bad she could hardly make it through the summer. She kept track of every story day and every special event at the library, just so she could go in and visit "her fish".

She had that dumb fish for two years. 13 years later, she still remembers that summer.

[LynnS6]

We do it for the 'reward' (a day pass to a local amusement park), but my kids read a ton even without the rewards, so I'm not worried.

I present it as "Hey, if we keep track of our reading, we can participate in this and get some cool stuff." I don't present it as "if you read x amount, you can get cool stuff." There's a subtle difference.

Maybe it's because my kids are already motivated to read, but I'm not overly concerned that one or two rewards are going to destroy my kids love of learning. They get much more out of talking about the books they're reading to me, and that's what's going to keep them reading. (That and the fact that we've never told them to turn out the lights and go to sleep while they're reading, so it's basically license to stay awake as long as they can still read!)

[waiflywaif]

The pet store offered a fish for every child who completed the game.

Off-topic, but yuck! Living beings are not rewards to be handed out like stickers!

[madskye]

I work in children's book publishing and actually made some Make A Splash...Read! posters this year for libraries. I think it's great to be a part of summer reading at any age, but the whole keeping track and getting something for what you read is really geared more towards 7-9 year olds. Some kids get really into collecting and the whole methodical ticking off of reading a series (like Magic Tree House) and I think it tends to be a stage that's a little older than 4.

So, as someone in the "biz"--I don't really think the reward is the point, unless you make it so. The reading is the point. The reward is something extra and fun to get kids into the library or the store, when it's summer time and there are other fun things to do with their time. I would worry less about the reward aspect and more about the marketing to children aspect. Except that I am fine with anyone marketing books to my child.

Also, lots of kids don't have any money for treats or books--so even though some of these programs may seem like bribery to you or me, if you are a child who doesn't have much, getting a pack of stickers for reading a book can be pretty special.

I'm sure there are parents who force their kids to participate in summer reading programs and make it a miserable rewards based experience, but I don't think it's the spirit that's intended.

[nextcommercial]

Originally Posted by waiflywaif

Off-topic, but yuck! Living beings are not rewards to be handed out like stickers!

I think it was also an incentive for parents to visit the pet store. This area of town was so new, and we didn't have any stores for a long time. So, when stores were built, they were doing all sorts of things to get people to come in.

But, it wouldn't have mattered. My daughter wanted that fish so bad!!! She named it "fruit roll up".