The reward system works on Gabby. Getting a paper star
from the teacher or getting high grades during exams is a big deal for him. It
means he will surely get a present from me, or his dad. It can be his favorite
food which is Jollibee burger steak. It can be an additional 30 minutes of play
time outside the house. It can be an additional 30 minutes of PSP or tablet
playing.
My usual question when he comes home from school will
be, “Where’s your star?” His usual answer will be while pointing to his hand,
“It is stamped here, Mommy.” Then he will tell me what he did to deserve the
star.
If he does not have star stamped on his hand sometimes,
his usual but funny answer will be, “The star is up in the sky.” :p
Today was different. My son went home with a yellow
paper star posted on the chest area of his school uniform. This is rare because
only the exceptional student for the day would wear a colored star on his/her
chest proudly. Our conversation went this way:
Gabby: “Look,
Mommy! I have a yellow paper star!”
Me: “Wow, that’s
great! Why did you receive this star?”
Gabby: (He just
smiled widely from ear to ear and did not answer me.)
Me: “What did you
do to get the star from your teacher?”
Gabby: “Oh, I am
Best in Spelling!”
Me: “Wow, good job
Gabby! I am proud of you.”
Gabby: “I am proud
of me too. Thanks mom!”
Because of this achievement,
I did not only give my son an additional 30 minutes of playing in his Android tablet.
I also downloaded a new educational game for him. It’s Flow Free. He was so
happy!
I have learned three things today.
Firstly, I should give more
learning opportunities for Gabby in Reading and Language, especially Spelling,
because he excels in these subjects.
Furthermore, paraphrasing a “why”
question into a “what” question will still get the same answer from my son.
Lastly, I am too blessed to be
stressed. I should take Gabby as an example. He never complains after countless
times of practicing for their dance. He even got a rewards for being Best in
Spelling today.
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