The
Best Rewards and Punishments
We should pay close attention to
how we reinforce our children s behaviour . We should reward only reasonable
behaviour .
Not
all rewards and punishment produce desirable effects . Locke was especially
opposed to the use of physical punishment . In the first place , its use
establishes undesirable associations . If a child is beaten for letting his
mind wander during reading lesson , he will not only associate pain with mind
wandering , but with the sight of books as well . Further , physical punishment
is often ineffective . The child submits while the rod is in sight , but just
as soon as the child sees that no one is looking , the child dose whatever he
wants .
Not
all kinds of rewards are desirable . Locke opposed the use of money or sweets
as rewards because their use undermines the main goal of education : to curb
desires and to submit to reason . when we reward with food or money , we only
encourage children to find happiness in these things .
The
best reward is praise , and the best punishment is disapproval . When children
do well we should compliment them , making them feel proud ; when they do
poorly we should give them a cold glance , making them feel ashamed . Children
are very sensitive to approval and disapproval , especially from their parents
and on whom they depend . So we can use these reactions to instill rational and
virtuous behaviour .
Rules
Most
parent set down all kinds of rules and then punish their children when they
disobey them. This practice is basically useless. Children have great
difficulty comprehending and remembering rules , and they naturally resent
getting punish for failing to comply with rule that they could barely keep in
mind . An alternative to command , Locke suggested two procedures :-
First , since children learn from
example than precept , we can teach them much by exposing them to good models .
Children will eagerly model their behaviour after that of a virtuous person ,
especially when we compliment then for doing so .
Second
, Locke suggested that , instead of issuing command , we have children practice
the desired behaviour . For example , instead of instructing children to bow
whenever they meet a lady , it is better to give them actual practice in bowing
, complimenting them each time they bow as naturally as they breathe , without
any thought or reflection .