Reward systems can do more harm than good. The Strong Starts Podcast dives into the complex nuances of sticker charts, token economies, and extrinsic motivation, revealing how they can either build autonomy or deepen dependency.

In this eye-opening episode, hosts Jessica and Sarah explore the dark side of reward systems and explain how they can inadvertently reinforce trauma, manipulate relationships, and undermine intrinsic motivation.

We break down the pitfalls of reliance on extrinsic incentives and share practical strategies for fading out dependence while fostering student ownership and internal drive. You'll learn key frameworks like trauma-informed care, the importance of meaningful relationships, and how systemic influences shape our behaviors around incentives. We discuss the risk of weaponizing rewards against students, esp ...