Non-food Rewards for Kids

Benefits of being recognized

One of the most important aspects of working with youth is the relationships that we build with them. Recognition is a basic human need, and in 4-H, recognition of youth members for their knowledge gained and mastery of skills is an important part of our positive youth development program. Using incentives and prizes during a 4-H program can be an effective way to create a sense of belonging. While working with youth, it is important to acknowledge their achievements and hard work throughout the club year.

Using Food as a Reward

Candy and sweets are often used to reward good behavior or accomplishments because kids like them and they are inexpensive. It is tempting to lean towards sweets and candy when selecting rewards and prizes for youth, but when food is given as a reward, children start to connect it to good or bad, and not fuel for the body. Rewarding youth with sweets can contradict the teaching and modeling of behaviors that promote healthy life skills in 4-H. Often, these foods have little or no nutritional value.

Non-food Rewards

Non-food rewards are a great option for acknowledging youth at 4-H club meetings, in school, and while at home. By using non-food rewards to acknowledge behavior, this promotes a healthy environment and helps children develop a healthy relationship with food. Recognizing youth with words of appreciation are better motivators than rewards of food. Telling a child, “I am so impressed with how hard you worked on your project,” is a healthy alternative to giving them candy for their success.

Creating an Inclusive Environment

Non-food rewards also create an inclusive environment for those we have food allergies and cannot partake in many food rewards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in Schools and Early Care and Education Programs” recommends the “use of non-food incentives for prizes, gifts, and awards.”  While a shift to non-food incentives may require slight changes to traditions, there are many potential benefits. Below is a list of free and low-cost reward options to use with kids.

 

Free

• Certificate
• Lead a game or activity
• Help teach lesson
• Trip to the park
  

  Examples of non food reward items.

• Special privilege at home or club meeting
• Book exchange

Low-cost rewards

• Stickers
• Stress balls
• Notepads
• receive a plant, seeds and a pot for growing
• Pencils
• Art supplies
• Coloring book g
• Glitter
• Bookmarks
• Cupcake Wrapper Rosette
• Small toys
• Stencils

Group rewards

• Bowling party
• Field day
• Movie day
• Trip to a community park
• Canoe or kayak trip