Researchers at Frontiers in Education tested whether two simple, affordable strategies could improve maths performance in struggling students. They worked with 426 children from low-income families, comparing those who received personalised goal-setting plus a symbolic reward (worth roughly $1) against peers who received standard teaching alone.
The study involved students in a context where language barriers and limited resources are real challenges—conditions that resonate with some Singapore families facing similar pressures.
Symbolic rewards outperformed expensive incentives
Students who set specific, personal goals (such as "I will master addition by next week") and earned small symbolic recognition—a certificate, badge, or note—showed meaningfully higher maths test scores than the control group. This approach worked precisely because it did not rely on cash or costly prizes. Instead, it tapped into deeper motivation: the desire to achieve something meaningful and be acknowledged for the effort.
Children learning in a second language gained the most
A striking finding emerged: students from non-primary-language households benefited even more from this intervention. In Singapore's multilingual context, this matters directly. Many children speak Mandarin, Tamil, Malay, or other languages at home and learn in English at school. These students often face extra barriers, yet they responded exceptionally well to personalised goals and symbolic recognition. This suggests the strategy actively helps level the playing field for these learners.
Why affordable recognition works better than cash rewards
Money-based rewards can inadvertently teach children that learning is a transaction—you do maths for payment, not for the satisfaction of understanding it. Symbolic rewards (certificates, badges, or a handwritten note celebrating the achievement) celebrate effort without distorting a child's relationship with learning itself. They cost almost nothing but deliver psychological recognition that feels genuinely personal.
Apply this at home with your child
- Set one specific, weekly maths goal together—for example, "Master times tables for 6 and 7"—and celebrate with a homemade certificate or note on the fridge when achieved.
- If your child learns maths in English but speaks another language at home, use this finding to reassure yourself that personalised recognition is especially powerful for their learning.
- Avoid cash or expensive rewards; instead, create a simple visual record (stickers, drawings, or written praise) that your child can see and feel proud of.