Treating children without the "treats"

It is very common for parents to reward children with “treat” foods like sweets or console them when they have hurt themselves with a “comforting” chocolate bar. While doing this once or twice isn’t too much of a problem, developing this into a habit can establish an unhealthy relationship with food that can persist into their adult years. How many of us know adults who console themselves with chocolate, or treat themselves to an unhealthy meal to reward themselves for accomplishing a hard task? Lifelong healthy eating habits start developing very early, and, of course, in the short term, adding high sugar, high fat, salty snacks to your child’s diet as a reward or to cheer them up is not doing their health any favours. Here are some healthy ways you can reward your child for tasks, or console them if they are upset, without a crisp or chocolate bar in site.

1. In my opinion the very best option is to reward them with active play time, like playing a game of tiggy or chasey* with them as this will help establish a positive relationship with movement and help them see exercise as fun later in life. Other rewarding activities you could partake in would be playing a ball game together, playing mini golf, riding your bikes or scooting together.

2. Likewise, an active trip to the beach, park or woods as a family is a healthy active reward that will get you all moving more and get your child outside in nature. If your child is sad as you drop them off at nursery or crèche, you could try to console them by telling them you will go to the park to play together when you pick them up.

3. Rewarding your child with family time, such as all playing a board game together, is a reward you get to share in that will create life-long, positive memories.

4. Let them choose a story for you to read to them. This will help with their language development and can be quicker than nipping to the supermarket for that chocolate bar (cheaper too).

5. Rather than giving your child an ice lolly to distract them from the pain if they have grazed their knee, give them what they really crave, which is often a hug and attention. Comforting your child with affection is much healthier than doing so with sugary foods that would only make their mood more erratic.

6. Let them choose the next movie you watch as a family.

7. Perhaps reward them by arranging a play date with a friend. Connecting with others is better than connecting with a jam doughnut.

8. If they are old enough, ask them to express their feelings by talking to you, rather than shovelling in ice cream, the next time they are upset. They will feel better when they feel listened to and, again, it will assist with developing their communication and language skills.

9. A sticker chart can be a fun, inexpensive way of rewarding children for good behaviour you wish to positively reinforce.

10. If you’re not fan of giving tangible rewards, a high five and “congratulations” can be very rewarding too! Other intangible rewards include giving your child extra attention, pats on the back, high fives, smiles and verbal praise.

11. A certificate of achievement can be very quickly mocked up on a computer and can be presented to your child in a little ceremony to congratulate them for their big achievements or even small milestones. It can be placed on the fridge for you to remind them, if you wish to reinforce this behaviour throughout the week or month until it becomes a habit.