When it comes to teaching kids how to behave, parents and teachers recognize that rewarding good behavior can be more effective than punishing bad behavior. However, sometimes the way we reward children (and ourselves!) can promote unhealthy behaviors. A piece of candy for a good behavior chart, a pizza party for perfect attendance, or an ice cream social for a week of positive behavior—these all seem like fun, harmless “treats”, but they send a confusing message: if candy and other unhealthy foods are presented as the foods we work for, then healthy foods aren’t valued the same way…or can seem like a punishment. These rewards can also add up to lots of extra sugar for your child, which can lead to…bad behavior!
Parents can talk to their child’s teacher or the school administrator about rules around how kids are rewarded. Teachers might be delighted to know they have the support of parents in making changes. Share these ideas for rewarding good behavior:
- Individual rewards: line leader, teacher’s helper, certificate or handwritten note, treasure box of non-food prizes (pencils, erasers, stickers, etc)
- Class-wide rewards: extra recess, a dance party, a fruit salad party
Keep the message consistent by not using unhealthy foods as rewards in your home. Reward your child’s good behavior with a trip to the playground, stickers, or just special time with you. And next time you reach for a candy bar to reward yourself for an accomplishment, think about how much better you’ll feel if you take a walk, enjoy some time with a good book, or just a few deep breaths.
For more information and ideas for healthy rewards, visit the FSNE Toolkit.
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