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Barbara and all, I'm a little behind in keeping up with the messages, but I think there is one more distinction to be made about praise as a reward. I'm fairly sure that all of you who responded use praise and rewards correctly -- I'm not sure what I mean by that, but there's an element of surprise involved. If a child knows he's going to get a reward, that's an extrinsic motivator, but if the praise or reward is random, maybe when you spontaneously catch them doing something right, then they appreciate it more, and it fosters a sense of satisfaction in themselves. Somewhere I remember reading that some kids become "praise junkies," usually the littler ones who have unmet emotional needs at home. I've seen kids give extra effort and then whine until you give them the praise they feel is due. Until they've heard the words, "Good job," they don't think the act has value. Or something like that. I've read that you should say, "That must make you feel very proud." (Hoping someone else will know more about this & respond). When I think of my own artistic or musical efforts, I don't really care about others' praise or compliments or winning prizes-- it has to satisfy me. If I think I fluffed a performance, I usually hear that praise as hollow. And I certainly don't read so I can brag on how many pages I got through last summer. I think we all agree that the things we do most passionately are not for extrinsic rewards, not even for praise or the esteem of others. And that includes teaching. I'll be looking for that Kohn book now. Julie Dahlhauser, librarian Anderson Early Childhood Center 620 West Main Street Brownsville, Tennessee USA 38012 JulDahl@aol.com dahlhauserj@k12tn.net -------------------------------------------------------------------- All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------