Today Andrew came home with some awards from school. He has a certificate of recognition and two gift certificates for each award; perfect attendance and honor roll.
This evening, while I was putting him to bed, we had this conversation.
Me: You know, I'm really proud of you, Andrew. Do you know why?
Andrew: Because I got ready for bed?
Me: Well, that too, but why else would I be proud of you?
A: Because I brushed my teeth?
Me: That too, but what else?
A: Because I got my jammies on?
Me: No, silly, because you made the honor roll. That means you are doing really well in school.
A: It does?
Me: Yeah, it says you got all As.
A: My friend Eduardo is on the honor roll, too.
Me: Yeah, he's super smart, too, right?
A: Uh huh. I think he got all Es.
Me: No, I think he got all As just like you.
A: But his name is Eduardo. Doesn't he get Es?
After this point I explained to him the concept of grades and how they worked. I have no idea how much of it he caught on to, but it's a start. Should I be happy that he does well in school without the incentive of grades, or should I be concerned that he had no clue what they meant?
© 2011 Scott Everett
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