Paying Kids To Get Good Grades Sounds Like A Quick Win, But There's A Big Flaw

Cash for grades? Experts say that’s not always an A idea.

Parents editor at HuffPost UK

“I’ll give you £30 if you get a 9 in your English GCSE.”

“If you get an A* in your Maths A-Level, you’ve got £50 coming your way.”

While it can be unbelievably tempting to offer kids money to incentivise them to achieve high grades, experts warn it’s not always the best strategy for getting them to put in the work.

In therapist Jenny Warwick’s experience, issues around school performance are often linked to confidence, stress, fear of failure, perfectionism or family dynamics.

“Incentives are rarely the problem. Most teens are already very much aware of the importance of exams, and so financial rewards won’t always increase engagement in a meaningful or lasting way,” says the accredited BACP member, who works with children and young people.

The mental health cost

Natasha Nyeke, a BACP member, therapist and coach, is cautious of paying kids for good grades “because it can unintentionally reinforce the idea that their worth is linked to achievement”.

“For some children, this can increase pressure, anxiety and perfectionism, especially if they are already........

© HuffPost