Anonymous Seeking Advice

I work with young kids, and in a time where participation trophies are so prevalent, it's very difficult to get teaching points across to kids sometimes. In your professional opinion, how would you go about relating to the young, sensitive generation among us?

Isaac Bayer answers...

Remove the participation trophies, the “at least you tried” ribbons, and the “as long as you had fun” medals. The best way to get any point across, especially in today’s youth, is to raise the stakes. I find that in the human race, the response to fear is far stronger and more motivating than the response to reward. Therefore, strike fear into the minds of these young boys and girls. You didn’t make a passing score on a test? Double homework. You didn’t score a sufficient amount of points at the game? 2 mile run. Relating to these kids is the least effective means of getting through to them. It’s always been in anyone’s best interest to expose children to the truth of the real world instead of letting them feel accomplished when nothing has been accomplished. ​