Wilkinson's Advice

Much of Wilkinson’s advice is based on experience and years of training. Many of his maximizers give real world example one can tailor to personal situations. The layout of the book is excellent for quick reference and is predictable. Models provide graphics that show each step of the process. Maxim and maximizers put the text into real world samples and helpful examples. The inclusion of meaning statements clearly states in a few words the principle of the law.

One excellent recommendation is Wilkinson’s suggestion on relationships teachers must manage in interactions. Described as either subject, student, or style oriented, the elements of each relationship are the obvious strengths that manifest while teaching. He encourages to love students

In his case, his daughter Jenny brought home three Fs in a row. In this case, Wilkinson used a method where he bought his daughter ice cream and expresses that he was happy she got it out her system. In this case his method was used to “employee opportunities purposefully.” It is commendable that his attempt was to express a positive expectation. The idea that by setting an expectation and reinforcing that the negative experience of bad grades were pass them does present a possible solution that could turn the student’s grades around. Nevertheless, some students could have just as easily seen the ice cream, or positive encouragement, as a reinforcement of the negative action of the bad grades. Children must have positive experiences, encouragement, and engagements, but when negative actions are met with reward, children may become confused and no longer adhere to the rules or standards. Other than this one case, the rest of Chapter 4 provides some of the best practical advice in the entire book.

In a personal opinion, the world today has blurred the line between good and bad. We no longer teach our child how to be good losers. Positive encouragement of children is a wonderful example of parental support, but positive reinforcement of a negative action will not always bring the best results. If we continue to push students to rely on the teacher as the motivator, constantly consume only the minimum necessary, as described by the Law of Retention, the result may be less than what was