Baan Dek · Episode 130 – Montessori Rewards Montessori is known for encouraging intrinsic motivation, rather than external rewards. Studies have shown that external rewards decrease motivation — if I can get a sticker or a treat for doing something, I’m not really interested in doing it without the sticker or treat — and can […]
Baan Dek · Episode 129 – Setting Children Up For Success There’s a scene from the show Schitt’s Creek that, if you’re familiar with the show, you’ll know from the following four words: fold in the cheese. And if this doesn’t ring any bells, here’s a youtube link to watch a brief clip. Two […]
Baan Dek · Episode 128 – Magic Words Words are magic. Toddlers learn that when you combine sounds or gestures in a particular order, adults love it and you get what you want. We’re actually relieved when young children start communicating in words or in sign, because when they’re infants we’re all just guessing. We […]
Baan Dek · Episode 127 – “What Did You Do Today?” “What did you do today?” This question has been asked by generations of adults at the end of their child’s day, and the answer is almost universally, “nothing.” There’s nothing wrong with this question! Unfortunately, there’s not even a “better” question that would […]
Baan Dek · Episode 126 – Speaking For Children As I’m writing this, there’s a baby fussing and I asked his mom, “does he know what he wants?” to which she replied, “no he has no idea.” When they’re tiny, no one has any idea of anything ever. They’re guessing, we’re guessing, it’s a roll […]