Principal warns against bribery tactic

Ettalong Public School relieving principal Ms Lynn Balfour has warned against parents relying on bribes as a tactic to secure a child's co-operation.

Ms Balfour has warned against the method suggesting it as an "addictive" method to coerce good behaviour.

She said it teaches children to adopt a "what's in it for me" attitude towards discipline.

In some cases, it encourages certain behaviours knowing that the resolution will end in them getting something they want, she said.

Ms Balfour said that a harsher approach, while resulting in more arguments with children, was more beneficial to children than "caving in with a bribe" in return for some peace and quiet.

Ms Balfour said the bribery tactic worked on the child's terms, often escalating to bigger more elaborate bribes and sometimes worse behaviour from the child to get what they want.

Newsletter, May 17 2016

Lynn Balfour, Ettalong Public School