The Mom I Want to Be

At school, home, and throughout the community kids are offered food as a reward for “good” behavior. Often these foods have little or no nutritional value but are easy, inexpensive, and can bring about short-term behavior change.

 

There are many disadvantages to using food as a reward:

 

§  It undermines nutrition education being taught in the school / home environment.

§  It encourages overconsumption of foods high in added sugar and fat.

§  It teaches kids to eat when they’re not hungry as a reward to themselves.

 

Kids learn preferences for foods made available to them, including those that are unhealthy. Poor food choices and inadequate physical activity contribute to overweight and obesity. Currently, obesity among kids is at epidemic levels and can often lead to serious health problems.

 

Students Learn What They Live

 

Kids naturally enjoy eating healthy and being physically active. Schools and communities need to provide them with an environment that supports healthy behaviors. Below are some alternatives for students to enjoy instead of being offered food as a reward at school.

 

ZERO-COST ALTERNATIVES

 

Sit by friends

Watch a video

Read outdoors

Walk with a teacher during lunch

Eat lunch outdoors with the class

Teach the class

Have extra art time

Enjoy class outdoors

Have an extra recess

Dance to favorite music in the classroom

Get “free choice” time at the end of the day

Listen with a headset to a book on audiotape

Play a computer game

Read to a younger class

Get a no homework pass

Make deliveries to the office

Have a teacher perform special skills (i.e. sing)

Have a teacher read a special book to the class

Listen to music while working

Play a favorite game or puzzle

Earn play money for privileges

Be a helper in another classroom

Eat lunch with a teacher or principal

 

LOW-COST ALTERNATIVES

 

Select a paperback book

Enter a drawing for donated prizes

Take a trip to the treasure box (non-food items)

Get stickers, pencils, and other school supplies

Receive a video store or movie theatre coupon

Get a set of flash cards printed from a computer

Receive a “mystery pack” (notepad, folder, sports cards, etc.)

 

Although specifically targetted at the classroom, many ideas can be adopted to use at home as well!