What are some good non-food rewards for toddlers?

Question

My daughter seems to always want ice-cream for a reward. I don't want her to become used to getting sweets for a reward, but I can't think of many things to keep a variety of rewards on hand. I don't think little toys are a good idea, as I like to keep a tidy house. any ideas?

I was thinking of giving her stickers on a chart and then she could have a bigger prize every 10, 20, 30 stickers or so. Maybe even adding ice cream to the list of prizes after 40 stickers or so.

Answer 1

I think you have the best idea. That's what I did for my children and it seemed to work out great.

Answer 2

Your daugher is young--so making her get 40 stickers is unrealistic. She will lose interest if the reward is too far off in the distance. I would start with 5--then work up from there.

Some fun non-food rewards are--Time with just you playing a game with no interruptions (phone, work etc). A visit to the park (if that is what she likes). Maybe there is a special game or toy she plays with when she earns her stickers. Perhaps she can earn lunch out with you at her favorite place. The key is that she will want to spend time with you--so use that as a reward. You don't have to get rid of ice cream entirely--you can phase it in once in a while as an "extra special reward" so she learns not to expect it all the time. You don't have to spend a ton of money to come up with good ideas for rewards--trust me, the best reward will be time spent with you.

Good luck!

Answer 3

A lot of times we (adults) think we have to go all out for an elaborate reward. Kids love anything that gives them attention. At school I reward kids with a high five and lots of hoopla, or they get to blow bubbles, get a sticker, a stamp on the hand,etc. For other more elaborate systems I make a chart with a certain number of blank boxes or circles on it. I start with fewer blanks at first, then as they begin to master whatever skill or behavior I'm teaching, I raise the bar to a higher number or blanks. When the chart is filled, they get to go to the "treasure box", a box that contains trinkets like McDonalds' toys or those little party favor toys that come in 6 to a pack. Keep it simple so it's do-able. Don't worry so much about a tidy house; it's the behavior that's more important, and you'll ween her off the rewards as she masters the skill or behavior.

Answer 4

the sticker chart is a good idea children love stickers and showing her a chart at an early age will not only help you teach her things but when it comes time to potty train( if she isnt already) sticker charts are perfect for it. some other ideas are mommy and me time like say gee since you were such a good girl today you and mommy are gonna go play at the park for a little while by ourselves or take her on a walk stuff like that children love mommy time and not only is it a great reward its also a good way to bond with your child also if she relates prizes to food try healthy foods that are fun to eat like slice a banana in half add some grapes and a strawberry and make her a fruit face for a reward that way its still an edible treat but its healthy for her all of these are ideas that will work just picj the one that is best for you good luck

Answer 5

Stickers, little kids love stickers. You could make a chart and when it's time for a reward she gets to put a sticker on the chart that way your house is still tidy but it is something to look forward to.

Answer 6

stickers on a chart is a good idea but have you ever thought of not rewarding her for every little thing she does you have to teach her that in life sometimes you do things just to do them you clean your house because it needs to be clean your nice to people because its the right thing to do rewards for special above and beyond things are good but not for everything when is the last time someone gave you an ice cream for cooking dinner? children should not be taught to do things only for the reward they will get it makes for a bad charecter.

Answer 7

Sticker chart or stamps. After "x" number of stickers/stamps, then the "big" treat, whatever you choose that to be. Maybe 10 stickers, then the ice cream?

Answer 8

It is never to early to give an allowance, my husband was always leaving his spare change around and in an attempt to stop him, I gave it to my toddler for rewards. Now four and a half, she has her own bank account and she loves depositing some money but also she has learned to save up for things she loves to do, like gumball toy machines at the grocery store. TOy store... when she asks for something specifically on TV, find it in an add, show her the amount and help her learn to save for it. We help her pay for it too if she is short. A quarter or penny here and there and they love it. Let her pick out a penny bank if she doesn't have one. You'll kill two birds with one stone, you will teach money management at an early age and keep them from heading down the path of childhood obesity... Good luck.

Answer 9

What about cute stickers that she could stick on a little "reward" chart?

Answer 10

How about treating her to a day in the park or Chuckie Cheese. Kids always love those places, but only reward them with these places when they did something really really good. As for just a regular good job, just give her a praise and that would do just fine. Don't over-spoil your daughter or she will think that she SHOULD get something good in return for everything she does.

Answer 11

My son is 15 months so I only have knowledge based on his age. Not sure how old your daughter is but here goes for rewards:
1.I take my son out in the yard with nothing but his diaper on and let him play in the hose, which he adores. Irritating for me afterward, but a good reward for him and it gets him outside doing something active for fun. For older kids you can fill up the plastic wading pool and let her hang out in it.
2. I let him totally remove everything from a special drawer in the kitchen with only plastic stuff in it. It makes him very happy and since I only do it as a reward he doesn't get too used to it.
For rewards, I always try to make it something that I normally don't do because it annoys me or it's messy or too much trouble (like maybe a messy craft, or the hose thing, or the plastic kitchen "toys"). It lets them know that they totally matter (and we don't just go out of our way to make them happy when it's convenient or easy). Good Luck! And good for you not rewarding with food! A woman after my own heart....now if I could just stop rewarding MYSELF with food. That's another question!