Repeatedly asking children to engage in learning activities either to avoid punishment or to gain a reward

Research on motivation, particularly Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory, shows that excessive use of external rewards and punishments undermines intrinsic motivation by reducing children's natural interest and curiosity in learning. This phenomenon, known as the overjustification effect, occurs because external incentives shift the focus from the inherent enjoyment of learning to obtaining rewards or avoiding punishment. Such practices promote performance goals over mastery goals.