Teachers: Why do you always reward a child with candy or some other form of junk?

Question

Why do teachers give kids a piece of candy as a reward? Is it because it is an easy thing knowing that all kids like and will do just about anything for candy. Could teachers give out something else other than food? Would this require too much imagination or thought?

Why to teachers need to reward at all. Why should kids get a reward for doing something they are suppose to be doing anyway? EX: learning spelling words

Since when did we start with all this "atta boy" stuff? What ever happened to getting a good report card. Why is this not enough. Are we conditioning our kids to always expect a reward no matter how mediocre the task is? We had a teacher once that handed out 1 skittle everytime a 1st grader spelled a word correctly. It really resembled a "dog/animal training class." We actually witnessed kids not wanting to spell their words because no treats were offered as an incentive.

Answer 1

I am a primary teacher. I use stickers and rubber stamps. Along with the odd sweeties on an occasional basis. As for the idea that children shouldn't be rewarded for doing what they should be doing anyway... are you a teacher??? If you are, I dont think I would want to be taught in your class if all my efforts at learning recieved no praise or acknowledgement at all. How are our children to know that they are progressing if we as teachers don't tell them? Praise and reward is all part of the learning process for children. The smiles and the sense of achievement written all over a child's face when you ask their permission to show a bit of their work for the whole class to appreciate is worth its weight in gold and encourages that child to experiment and want to improve and grow. It has been proved that a childs learning is improved by praise and rewards. I don't over do it. That makes sweeties as a reward all the more special when the whole class has been working well.

Answer 2

I disagree with other responders who say "why should kids be rewarded at all for doing what they're supposed to do anyway". Reward is a part of our lives. You work you get paid, do a good job and ( hopefully) you get a raise. Isn't that what Karma is all about? Live a good life, believe and trust in GOD and (hopefully) you'll go to HEAVEN. All these things are reward based, so why should our precious children be any different. The question was is candy the proper reward. My answer is no. If it must be food even fruit would be a better reward. Even better a membership to a book club or maybe a book. Basically something that is linked to furthering their education process.

Answer 3

Do you work for free??? When you do your job you expect to be paid, money is the primary motivation for lots of adults. Now, if you have a hobby of any kind you do it without expecting to receive anything; this is the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation deals with the basis of doing something which will receive a reward of some kind -behaviorism, works in this way-; this reward can be a material award or a verbal praise by someone else. Intrinsic motivation works with the knowledge of a person doing something because it satisfies their own needs, you don't expect anything in return. Young students do not have the ability of recognizing that something like school is good for them, this comes through maturity, that is why teachers need to motivate them by providing rewards of any type possible. The main idea is that eventually students will no longer need to be as motivated by other sources and they will realize the importance of school all by themselves.

Answer 4

First of all, I think kids come to school having been given "treats" by their parents like candy, toys, and other items that are temporary stimuli--teachers didn't create this idea. But candy is cheap and kids like it.
I'm a high school teacher and students really do lack motivation for the majority of their subjects. I don't give candy (anymore) but I have an age group that apprecitates things like extra credit, no homework passes, free time in class, or watching a movie to match the unit. That can be more difficult with younger students.
In a perfect world, we would all be self-motivated, but that's not a natural thread of our make-up. Let's think about it, almost all actions we do are motivated by something else. I know I go to work because I get paid for it! Sure I love kids, but I wouldn't be willing to do the job for free. The kids see their hardwork as doing something for nothing. They are yet to see the bigger picture. Sometimes teachers have to use something to motivate them to do a long, tedious, or challenging task.

Answer 5

Other answers have been insightful, so I won't repeat. I teach students with special needs, and have a token economy set up with "money" and a weekly store. For many students, praise and acknowledgement of their work, and a fun class environment are enough; for the others, going shopping on Friday makes them think twice about responsibility and respect during the week....and yes, there is candy available for purchase (in addition to many other items and priveledges!). We've never had a parent complain. We teach nutrition (life skills) and making good choices, but even I eat chocolate every now and then!!!! Sugar is not evil.....

Answer 6

Most teachers I know give out a variety of rewards... school supplies, stickers, etc. If you would prefer your child not have candy or junk food, I would talk with the teacher about it. I'm sure they could come up with some reasonable alternatives, perhaps sunflower seeds or juice.

Answer 7

You do it as a form of encouragement to spur the kids on. As teachers' pay are generally not high, candy as a form of motivation is great and affordable.

I hand candies and stickers to kids as well. To encourage and motivate them further, I also treat them specials on children's day and reward those with excellent results at the end iof the year with treats such as toys, lunches or dinners.

Answer 8

Well then why do parents make such a big deal about grades? Why do I hear my students say that they'll get $20 for every A! Whatever happened to parents saying, "I know that you tried your best."?

Answer 9

the two schools that I have worked for do not allow this.To my understanding it is illegal to do so.
I give them stickers or sports pencils or extra free days in gym class

Answer 10

pencils and stickers just dont have the affect as they used to for rewards.