Bearing this in mind, I very tentatively approached the USA writer Thomas Moore (whose books I like….), who was giving an evening lecture in Glasgow recently on the topic of “Care of the Soul in Medicine”, his latest book. Having read and appreciated two of his other books, “Care of the Soul” and “The Soul’s Religion”, I wanted to ask him whether  an astrological perspective was part of  his broad and deep influences, rooted as they are in his studies of the world’s religions, his teaching of Jungian psychology and art therapy, and his work in music and art, as well as his practice as a therapist practising ‘care of the soul’. I suspected that it had  – which he confirmed, having in fact written another book called “The Planets Within” which I have not yet read.

I found meeting Thomas refreshing and cheering – found him humorous, laid back, wearing his erudition lightly. His very informal “lecture”, very much open to audience participation, was timeous in its theme: the importance of healing the whole person, rather than simply treating the body, within the health care system. Timeous because of revelations in the UK press, in the very week of his talk,  concerning the lack of compassion and due attention paid to individuals’ emotional needs and their dignity in too many instances in too many hospitals.

These revelations caused shock and much impassioned discussion and comment in the UK, which really values the NHS, appreciating all the good work and quality care which is also provided by hard-pressed nurses and doctors in a system increasingly squeezed by financial constraints and driven by mechanistic targets and bureaucratic box-ticking – all dehumanising.

Thomas made many important points, leaving us with much food for thought. He emphasised – as the Greek philosopher Heraclitus had done thousands of years ago – the mysterious, fathomless depth of the human soul, observing that in both his life and his work “I like to honour the mystery”.

Heraclitus by Johannes Moreelse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraclitus

He pointed out that there are various simple but profound ways to nourish the soul: the key, it seems, if you distil the essence of several thousand years of cross-cultural wisdom, is friendship. “Soul is about your friends”.

He made the point that friendship can range from a twenty-second friendly exchange, eg with the man or woman looking after the toilets in the local park (my example), to deep relationships that stretch over decades. He would like to see much more of this general friendliness across the whole of our society, including between “patients” and “professionals”. His view is that one does not have to set aside necessary professional boundaries in order to have this kind of exchange, and that professionals being less guarded and more open to the common humanity which links us all, could make eg the relationship between eg “patient” and “carer” much more nurturing on both sides.

He also stressed the importance to us all of a sense of being in the right place, of feeling that where we live is “home”. (Apparently the origin of the word “home” is “I am”) Soul nurturing also lies in the deep pleasures of “ordinary” life – cooking, shared meals, music, connection with Nature – and in  his case, window shopping!

I went along to Thomas Moore’s lecture with my friend and colleague, psychology researcher Emily Cutts. We left – having met and chatted with several old friends and acquaintances who were also there – feeling cheered, refreshed and uplifted. Judging by the snatches of conversation around us, and the general atmosphere of the departing audience, it was a view shared. Thomas, haste ye back!

Tomorrow to fresh woods and pastures new……

As of now, I am winding up my existing blogs, including this one: they will remain on the Web as an archive of articles offering “….support, encouragement, inspiration and entertainment to open-minded people who, like me, are exhilarated and amazed by the beauty, mystery and complexity of the worlds we human beings inhabit - and for those writers and readers who share my preoccupation with questions of meaning, pattern and purpose….” I have said all I wish to say on those topics for the time being.

HOWEVER – DO NOT GO AWAY, DEAR READERS !

I will be returning  in October 2011. The topics? Click HERE and you will find out!

For more details on these changes, click on

http://anne-whitaker.com/coming-up-soon-2/

Anne and Friend compose the new blog....

200 words copyright Anne Whitaker 2011
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page

One of the most useful pieces of advice I was ever given came from a newspaper editor I once worked for, a crusty old chap who called a spade a spade. “You’re too wordy, my girl!” he observed. (this was in the good old days, before my even thinking he was being offensive might have got him arrested….) “I’ve never known any piece of writing to get anything other than better by the removal of 25 per cent of its wording. Now – take “How I was left on the shelf and found true happiness” away, and chop it!”

Honestly, I did write an article with that title, for the Spring Brides feature of a provincial Scottish newspaper a few decades ago. And yes, dear reader, it actually did get published, minus 25% of its wording. Somewhere in my files I have the cutting to prove it….

Another piece of even earlier straight-from-the-shoulder feedback has just found its way to the front of my braincell. Picture the scene. Aberdeen university, the infamous Sixties. I had left my seriously overdue history essay till the very last possible evening before my second exasperated extension from my usually genial tutor had expired.

I finally stopped procrastination and began writing at one am. Many cups of coffee and cigarettes later, at 8am, the task was completed. It had to be handed in by  9am or I would not receive my History class certificate. Without that, I could not sit my degree exam. Serious business.

Burning the midnight oil....

I ran most of the way to my tutor’s office. It was pouring with rain. On the way, I somehow managed to drop one of the essay’s ten pages into a puddle. It was only rendered semi-illegible – and only the bibliography, I thought, thankful for small mercies. Made it by 9. Just.

A week later I visited my charismatic and much loved, but somewhat fierce, history tutor – Owen Dudley Edwards. He glared at me as he thrust the dishevelled bundle of paper that was my essay back at me. I scanned the title page. “Phew!!” I thought with relief. Fifty per cent. A pass!!

“This essay on ‘The Origins of the American War of Independence’ ” Owen Dudley said severely, in words I have never forgotten, “bears all the hallmarks of the triumph of native intelligence and writing ability over little if any credible content.” There was a long pause. ” The bibliography – I had cited Winston Churchill’s  ‘History of the English Speaking Peoples’ having once flicked through it – I assume is a joke….”

There was a frosty silence. I left, not feeling as chastened as the good Mr. Edwards had intended.

“Mmmmmm” I thought to myself as I headed off to the refectory to buy a much needed bacon sandwich, ” maybe I should be a writer if I ever grow up.“

That crusty newspaper editor is probably long dead. Owen Dudley Edwards is still with us, and still giving out his straight from the shoulder opinions. I know this because I heard him on the radio a couple of months ago. I am grateful to both of them for their never-forgotten feedback. It was direct, it pulled no punches. It let me know where I stood. Grit in the oyster, it helped me become a competent writer.

However, in recent times, constructive criticism seems to have morphed into something altogether much less forthright, much more timid, much more inclined to dish out indiscriminate praise and affirmation regardless of performance. Is this helpful to young people’s education and development?

My colleague Emily Cutts,  psychologist and independent thinker, has her serious doubts. Read Emily’s forthright views, published today on MoreBitsFallOff.com :

Emily Cutts: Constructive criticism is a gift

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600 words copyright Anne Whitaker 2010
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page

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Apart from that exceptional tale, Sarah seemed remarkably normal, telling her story with great verve and humour. Then there was newly married Chris, who won a holiday to Amsterdam which clashed with her wedding anniversary. Her husband insisted that she should go. In the winners group she ran into someone she knew slightly, agreed to be her roommate for the trip, and they have been best friends for all the many years since then.

Anne told a family tale from her Highland background, in which her great-grandmother who had the Second Sight correctly predicted, on her deathbed, great changes which would come to her remote island village many years thence.

Jackie set us all a challenge to go and visit remote Unst in the Shetland Isles, the most Northerly part of Great Britain, where she had been last month, as part of a remit to teach public speaking to second year Secondary pupils. “Go to Unst! ” became a rallying cry for the evening, held at the Tramway, Glasgow, Scotland, UK – one of Europe’s most vibrant cultural venues.

And what an evening it was. Our hosts, Lauren Currie and Cassie Robinson, great connectors both, had the bright idea of issuing invitations to a range of women in Scotland, suggested to them by their friends and associates as people who were making distinctive creative contributions in a variety of fields to Scotland’s economic, social, educational and artistic life. I was honoured to have been put forward by my friend, positive psychology advocate and independent thinker Emily Cutts.

Emily, currently on a six-month sabbatical in San Diego, California, co-writes a section of my Web Magazine “Writing from the Twelfth House” which I have been running since the summer of 2008.

The tenor of the evening was friendly, relaxed and good-humoured right from the start as we were offered a glass of wine and began to get to know one another. I had been at networking events before where I could barely hear myself think above the clattering of surrounding egos: it wasn’t like that at all.

Scotland had, and still has, a strong tradition of story and song. Lauren and Cassie were inspired in playing to both those cultural strengths during the evening.

The Story Locator!

http://www.flickr.com/

The colourful tales recounted above were taken from their icebreaking opening exercise – an invitation to tell stories evoked by a range of Scottish place names, read out against a visual background of a very large blank map of Scotland pinned to the wall facing our group of about thirty women of ages ranging from 20s to 60s. As each story was told, Sarah – who led the exercise – would write a headline on a post-it note, then stick it on the map roughly where the story originated.

It was a brilliant exercise – by invitation rather than putting people on the spot – in which everyone was able to tell a story or share with the group something about themselves. I was really struck by the enterprise, imagination, range of activities, confidence and creativity revealed.

After having been dined as well as wined, came the “surprise” of the evening: Lauren had met a colourful and talented performer just the previous evening, and invited her along to entertain us. On came “Tartan Heather” : dressed from head to foot in – yes! – tartan, carrying a borhan. Her short, passionate performance, a mix of traditional Gaelic song, mouth music, and her own compositions within a traditional setting, captivated us.

"Tartan Heather"

http://www.flickr.com/

I was not surprised to discover, on conversing with her afterwards, that she comes from the Travelling People of Scotland, whose musical heritage holds memorable traditional  Scottish folk singers such as the late Jeannie Robertson. Some performers evoke the soul of that centuries-old deep, dark and powerful river of folk memory underlying the music. “Heather” is one such singer; it was a privilege to hear her.

The evening flew by. At its end, there was plenty of hugging and exchanging of cards and email addresses. Lauren and Cassie were well organised: at the door was a plastic memory board featuring our names where we could write contact details. Everyone was happy for a list to be prepared and circulated later. On the opposite wall was another board. We were invited to write down OUR suggestions this time – for extraordinary women we would like to see invited to the next event.

In time honoured fashion, those with the most remaining stamina then retired to the pub.

Despite emerging into a dark, damp, dreary glaswegian night (no surprise there!) I set off for home feeling cheerful, heart-warmed and inspired. Well done, Lauren and Cassie. It feels like something new has just been born. Let’s see where we can take it from here……

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800 words copyright Anne Whitaker 2010
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page

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AWhitaker 2009 Photo: Lynne Connor

Anne Whitaker is a Web writer who launched her magazine “Writing from the Twelfth House” in 2008. “MoreBitsFallOff.com“ - never give up, never give in! -  is the new section of the magazine, co-written with positive psychology advocate and independent thinker Emily Cutts.

To find out more about Anne, click HERE

Other kids came over and attempted to join in.  However, this was thwarted when parents, from all angles, whipped away their children before they could make contact with germs or get mud on their nice clean clothes.  This interchange sharpened my growing concern; there is an increasing disconnect in our society between children and nature.

Throughout all of history, and pre history, children have been either playing or working on the land.  Our ancestors, the hunter gatherers, spent almost all of their existence in nature; they lived, breathed and learned through the natural environment. The natural world has played a fundamental role in the way humans developed over time. For example, the natural elements would have determined what people built, what food they ate and even how their language and thought developed.

If you look at the English language this connection can be traced. ‘M’ for example, has its roots in water; when you think about it, M looks very much like a wave or ripple. ‘ W’ stems from the wooden bow (and arrow). Turn W on its side and it looks like a bow. This connection to the natural world is evident in primitive tribes across the world. An obvious example is how many words they assign individual plants and animals: the Nuba tribes in Africa have forty names for locusts (biologists only recognise ten).

We in the Western World, on the other hand, are moving further away from nature. For example, we have built very safe play parks with astroturf and bouncy material on the ground. We have many indoor play gyms, music classes, swimming classes, and a multitude of other indoor activities for our children (television and the computer are just two examples). On top of this, particularly here in the US, we have an infrastructure which demands more concrete and more roads.  This worries me. Moving to a safer, indoor and non natural environment is damaging our children.

Richard Louv, one of the most influential writers on this topic, believes that over the last few decades we have seen a new and drastic change in society, in relation to children’s behaviour.  “We are seeing the virtual disappearance of children playing outside in nature” . Louv has spent many years researching this idea and outlines his thinking in his influential book “The Last Child in the Wood” (1).

Lauchie gets down and dirty!

(photo: Emily Cutts)

He argues that there are drastic consequences for the mind, body and spirit of children when nature is not a part of their life.  Louv has coined the phrase ‘nature deficit disorder’ to explain the consequences of depriving a child of his or her natural instinct to be nourished by nature.

Why has this shift occured? The obvious explanation is a technological one with the advances and changes in lifestyle like cars, televisions and so on.  But the main reason is  – fear.   It doesn’t feel safe to let your child go out and play in the wild – what if they get abducted, attacked or break a leg or catch a bug? We increasingly believe that our children are in danger from themselves and others. This leads us to be constantly wrapping our kids up in cotton wool in case they break like a piece of fragile china.(2) It also leads to suspicion of others – the stranger danger campaign has escalated in recent years.(3)

Yet, evidence suggests that children are not in any more danger of strangers than before. If anything, rates are decreasing (4) and mud and dirt is good for them; it helps build up physical resilience (5). The super safe play parks on which we spend millions  save maybe one or two lives per year (we’d be better spending the money on car danger – a more serious problem for children) (6)

Facing the challenges associated with the natural environment builds a stronger and more resilient child.  Sheltering children from bad experiences, and the germs that they might experience in nature, is far more dangerous for them than letting them experience and experiment in the natural environment.

This is because there are a multitude of benefits of being in nature.  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is now one of the most common childhood disorders yet being in nature reduces the symptoms of ADHD. When children play in nature they do so in different and creative ways, (compared to when they are in man-made environments). Being in contact with nature has the physiological effect of reducing stress in young people.

Furthermore, contact with nature helps children focus when they lose concentration, reducing aggression and influencing disorders like asthma and short sightedness.  Even just 5 minutes in the natural environment has been shown to increase self-esteem and enhance mood. (There are many more beneficial effects of nature which influence the development of a child.)(7)

Nature is good for adults too. (Anne will be writing about this in the next post on MoreBits) For example, natural scenes have a restorative power – patients with a view of greenery recovered quicker from surgery than those viewing a brick wall. Nature positively influences aggression, violence (reducing both), cognitive abilities, attention and memory, well-being as well as reducing depression (7)

Aside from all the physical and mental benefits of being in a green environment, nature nourishes our spiritual development.  One of the most important teachings of nature is that it provides a sense of wonder.  Richard Louv gives a beautiful imaginary example, in this video clip(8): it depicts a child picking up a stone, finding something living under it – and the child’s amazed realisation that they are not alone in the world. The sense of wonder, appreciation and gratitude that nature provides is invaluable.

Considering the enormous benefits of nature on the developing child, we need to think creatively of ways for our children to be out in nature, and for longer periods (and when they are a bit older, alone). Going to a swing park isn’t enough.

Keeping our children indoors for long periods is much more dangerous than letting them play outdoors.

I was lucky enough to stumble upon a gem here in San Diego at the Botanical Gardens, where they have developed two areas for children (which arose as a result of Louv’s book)(9).  The Seeds of Wonder garden for young children does what it says – it stimulates wonder.

Wonder happening here!

(photo: Emily Cutts)

The garden has been carefully thought through: they have created paths in and out of the trees for children to explore; they have a water trough for experimentation with water; children can pot plants (my son potted a succulent today); there are hidey holes through which to watch the world (… like butterflies, plants, other children and even a model railway steaming its way around a track); trees to climb on, and so much more.

You might think that it is easy to do this because of the good weather, but these things don’t depend on optimal weather – they can be fun in the rain too if one has the right gear.  My son could spend hours here, getting wet and muddy.  I can’t think of a better example of a public space which allows such an interactive connection with nature.

There is hope though for all of us! In the park with the puddles my son’s antics in the mud soon catalysed enough excitement in the local kids for them to slip the restraints of their over-bearing parents and begin stomping about, digging and splashing in the muddy water hole.  One girl, who initially looked on with disgust ended up head to toe in mud, and much happier for it.

Overprotective parents = 0 Common sense = 1

I left the Botanic Gardens feeling happier too. You can take the child out of nature – but take nature out of the child? I think not!

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Links

1 http://richardlouv.com/
2 http://www.rethinkingchildhood.com/
3 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8399749.stm
4 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8399749.stm
5 http://articles.cnn.com/2006-04-05/health/cohen.allergies_1_fewer-allergies-germs-sick-kids?_s=PM:HEALTH
6 http://www.rethinkingchildhood.com/no_fear.html
7 http://www.centreforconfidence.co.uk/flourishing-lives.php?pid=168
8 http://richardlouv.com/last-child-video
9 http://www.sdbgarden.org/AV-video-2.htm

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1400 words copyright Emily Cutts/Anne Whitaker 2010
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page

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A few months ago as I was walking in the botanical gardens in Glasgow, Scotland,UK, I was struck by an interchange between an elderly man and a young woman.  The older man, maybe in his 80s, was walking his dog and attempted to make polite chit chat with the young woman (who was probably in her early 20’s) with a smile and a question. She responded by looking away and picking up speed – providing no words to explain the departure.  After the event I could see a loss of confidence in the man’s posture and in his speed as he moved on through the park.  Though I don’t know what his interpretation was of the event, I think he must have felt invisible.

Later that same day I noticed many more older people around.This got me thinking about some research indicating that our aging population will boom over the next few decades, resulting in many more older people than younger ones.   I found myself considering the implications for our society of both the incident in the park and the research. It got me thinking that we have a collection of negative views surrounding aging which are inaccurate and damaging, and we value youth much more than age.  Something needs to change.

Society hasn’t always placed such a high price on youth. In the past, or in the
tribes Anne talked about, older people would have been valued and respected and would have earned a special place within their community.

Our society puts the younger ones in a special place, forgetting about the  importance of the aging process and of older people, and of  what can be learned from both. You can see it in the media, in films, television, magazines and so on. There are media celebrities like Posh Spice and Katie Price (aka Jordan) desperately trying to defy the physical aging process and seeming more and more unhappy…. by each episode of Now magazine!

One reason why there is an inclination to put the young on a pedestal is because many believe that happiness can be found in physical things, such as money, a sports car or, in this case, good looks.  If happiness is believed to be associated with looking young and attractive, then it would make sense to believe that normal aging will diminish happiness.

The research shows overwhelmingly, however, that physical things, or materialism,  are less likely to bring happiness.

For example, the happiness of lottery winners returns to pre winning levels before too long. Focusing on good looks and staying young, and pursuing other extrinsic goals, is a sure way to reduce happiness and well-being. Such a focus draws away from the things that really make us happy, like relationships with others and meaningful work.

The other factor at play in our views about aging is our perception of what age will bring. We endorse a host of negative stereotypes about this - senility, slowness, unhappiness - which are not necessarily true of the healthy aging process.  Holding these stereotypes has a significant influence on our thinking and behaviour.

For example, studies show that these beliefs impact on the following: how well people respond to stress, whether people think they can achieve their goals, and how well they perform on cognitive tasks. They also determine whether people will accept life-promoting interventions, and affect their sense of meaning in life – even the will to live.

Furthermore, our perceptions about aging can influence our life expectancy by a whopping seven years – that’s better than giving up smoking!

Old, active - and happy

Contrary to our beliefs about aging, recent research suggests that there are many benefits that come with age. For example, studies show that as people age they become happier. They are also more content, calm, peaceful, have a greater sense of meaning in life, and are much more able to attend to the positives than the negatives.

They are also, surprisingly (considering they are nearer the inevitable) less fearful of dying than younger folk.   Another benefit of age is that older people tend to see the bigger picture and are more able to balance different perspectives. This is why older people tend to be, though not always of course, wiser than young folk.

All of the evidence on ‘positive aging’ suggests that there is a ‘silver lining’ to growing old. Some things get better with age. But, why does this happen?  Psychologist Laura Carstensen, lead researcher on ‘positive aging’, has put forward a ‘Socioemotional Selectivity’ theory as to why this may be. She says that as we age our state of being changes – no longer striving as younger folk do, more aware of how limited our time on earth is, we are more able to enjoy the simple things in life.

So why are all of these findings so important? Not long ago I heard a lecture by Professor Phil Hanlon, from the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, who was discussing population dynamics. His argument showed  that in 1945, less than 5% of the population lived beyond 65.  By 2035, he estimated that 30-40% would be over 65. This is a massive shift within society and will lead to major problems,  given how strongly our beliefs about aging impact upon health and well-being.

Challenging negative perceptions will not necessarily be easy; they are embedded in our culture. Yet, I think we can begin to chip away at the negative views surrounding aging and old people. I don’t know exactly how this will happen (as change can often be surprising, and not what one would expect)

Having said that, one place to begin might be through communication. I am lucky enough to have a close relationship with two older people: my dad and my grandfather, who are both in their 80’s (my grandfather is my mother’s father, in case you are thinking the numbers don’t add up!) and I also have several close friends in their 60’s.  My relationship with these older people continually challenges the stereotypes I might have of growing older. For example, my grandfather swims three times a weeks and does floor exercises on the other days, with one day off a week. Not exactly the image of a slow old person, and in fact he is much more active than anyone else in the family.

Not only does communicating with older people challenge stereotypes, but it also builds connections between the generations, strengthening relationships. It also transmits stories which otherwise would die with the person. All of this provides hope for the future, while at the same time increasing our sense of the value of age.

Considering that most of us will be living longer, it seems even more pressing to make those years as full and as vital as possible and to help change the misconceptions our current culture has of older people. Think about what you can do to effect positive change – it’s going to matter!

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1200 words copyright Emily Cutts/Anne Whitaker 2010
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page

In ancient times, when a woman reached menopause and began to feel the pull of death and rebirth into a new life phase, her tribe let her go free of duties for a year or so. She could wander, go deep into the forest, across the far hills, seeking solitude, time for reflection. She might gather roots and herbs only found in hidden places, to be used later. She had time to forge a deeper connection with Spirit than her busy life had previously allowed.

She would look at her lined face and grey hair in still river pools, sleep under the stars, slowly facing the fact that she was in the last phase of her life. By the time she returned she had deeply accepted the Great Round of birth, growth, maturation, decline, death and renewal. Having completed the mid life rite of passage, she was refreshed and ready to serve her tribe again. Her experience, knowledge and wisdom was valued and recognised : healer, midwife, mentor to the young, spiritual counsellor, she had her place in her community till the day she died.

Serene? Well, now and again....

photo of Anne W by Lynne Connor (2009)

“ But this is the twenty-first century!” I hear you say. “Things are very different now.”

I wonder. Are they? It is certainly true that humans have never lived such comfortable, materially sophisticated lives as they do now, if they live in the affluent societies of the West. Within this current cultural phase, there is a powerful preoccupation with one stage of life.Youth. It is possible because of huge advances in science, medicine and technology to delay the process of aging. Death has come to be seen as a defeat, rather than a normal part of the whole life cycle.

However, from gnats to galaxies, everything is woven into the Great Round. Why should humans think themselves exempt ?

Everything passes, and we pass with it. Denial of this robs us of a creative opportunity to face and accept the flow of life as it is. Acceptance, which takes experience, courage, reflection, and time, can lead to happiness and spiritual peace. Denial of any kind usually trails misery in its wake.The  mid life rite of passage is presented to us all, the choice being denial or acceptance. The latter road is slower and harder, but in my opinion - based on experience - infinitely more rewarding in the end.

ps ok, Emily, you’re in your early thirties. What’s YOUR view? (or anyone else out there – whether in Youth, Mid-Life, or Genteel Decline (I prefer to call it Post-Career Life, myself!)

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(this is an edited version of an article first published in Connections Magazine, Scotland, UK, August 2005)

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500 words copyright Anne Whitaker 2010
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page

We were the first people there, followed by another couple of parents and their children.  As we sat waiting for the others to arrive, I heard one of the children say “I want my sticker. When will we get our sticker?” It turned out that children got a sticker for ‘listening well’ to the stories and ‘joining in’ on the singing.

You might think “That’s great, children love stickers, what a brilliant idea to get them to behave well and participate!” Or you may wonder, like me, “Why on earth are they getting stickers for doing something that they love, and which they will most likely enjoy anyway?” You may even be worried, like me, that this will have an impact upon their learning and enjoyment of such activities.

This type of incentivisation in childhood worries me, mainly because of the implications it has for motivation and learning.

Absorbed in reading

(http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/apr/25/children-books-advice-for-parents)

Many studies have been carried out, including a couple of meta analyses (studies which look at the findings of many studies). These clearly show that incentives undermine motivation and performance, not only of children but of adults too (unless the incentives are for very boring or simple tasks) and especially when the tasks require creativity. See here for a recent review of the decline of creativity in young people.

In the case of rewards for young children, researchers have carried out a study which looked at what happens when you reward children for doing a drawing.  They took fifty-one 40-64 month olds and measured their initial interest in drawing, by observing how long they spent on the activity.

Children were selected into one of three groups: those who expected a reward after the drawing; those who did not expect an award but received one, and those who were given no award.  Then a couple of weeks later the drawing activity was reintroduced and researchers observed. What they found was those who had been aware that they were getting an award showed a decline in motivation and perseverance. They had less interest in drawing than those from the other two groups. Rewarding children in this way made them less fond of the activity they once loved.

Psychologists believe the reason this happens is that children overplay the importance of extrinsic motivators, believing that their behaviour is influenced by objective rewards rather than their own internal resources and motivation.

There are, however, times when extrinsic rewards are necessary but this is usually when intrinsic motivation is low to begin with, not as in the case of singing and story time for 1 – 3 year olds.

Considering the wealth of information around, I was  surprised to see the reward system in action, and at such a young age. Especially because California specifically has been targeted for such bad practices in the past.

Introducing extrinsic motivations so early in life, for things that young children enjoy, is a sure way to stop them enjoying those things. It will undermine their motivation to explore the interesting possibilities that life offers. Let’s encourage young ones to have a curiosity for life and cultivate a love of learning, rather than trying to get them to do what we want via stickers and rewards.

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600 words copyright Emily Cutts/Anne Whitaker 2010
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page