Article 2: "Summer Reading Incentives: Positive or Pernicious?"

I had wanted to find an article about Summer Reading program kick-off parties but stumbled across this instead and it definitely struck me.

For a class I took in the spring semester, my final project was a group one, wherein we had to design an entire summer reading program for grades K-6. Among other things, I was in charge of looking into the history of summer reading programs. During my research, I came upon the debate surrounding incentives in summer reading programs and I've been thinking about it since.

This article is mainly an overview of research regarding incentives for inherently interesting tasks, such as reading, and whether the extrinsic motivation of incentives increases or depletes intrinsic motivation. While it seems that, yes, in fact, extrinisic motivation diminishes intrinsic motivation for inherently interesting tasks, the article didn't entirely discourage librarians from using rewards/incentives with their summer reading programs. Here, it is suggested that one can encourage intrinsic motivation by making the children responsible through goal-setting and free choice. This article also points to research that indicates presenting stimulating tasks and books on the same topic, something nearly all library programming for youth does, increases intrinsic motivation and reading comprehension.

I like the paragraph at the end that offers suggestions about what one could do in their summer reading program to touch all the bases covered. My only hesitancy is regarding the verbal praise. While I know nearly everyone enjoys verbal praise for their work, I'm not sure if this alone can replace a tangible reward for children in summer reading. However, all the other suggestions are quite sound and, from what I can tell, the Mooresville summer reading program is adhering to many of them. I think it's especially important to give books as rewards.

One thing I would have been interested in as well was a look at whether or not this argument regarding incentives is true across all age groups. I just wonder if young adults would respond even less without tangible rewards. I'll have to keep an eye out for articles touching upon this.

Stauffer, S. (2009). Summer Reading Incentives. Children & Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children, 7(2), 53-55. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.