Encouraging Kids with Non-Food Rewards

 

Kids naturally enjoy eating nourishing foods and being physically active. Schools and teachers can provide them with an environment that supports these healthy behaviors by using non-food rewards. Here are effective alternatives to offering food as a reward to individual students or entire classes.

 

 

Read a book.

Sit by friends.

Read outdoors.

Teach the class.

Have extra art time.

Enjoy class outdoors.

Have an extra recess.

Play a computer game.

Read to a younger class.

Get a no homework pass.

Sing a silly song together.

Eat lunch outside as a class.

Earn coupons for a drawing.

Listen to music while working.

Make deliveries to the office.

Play a favorite game or puzzle.

Earn play money for privileges.

Walk with a teacher or principal.

Be a helper in another classroom.

Eat lunch outdoors with the class.

Eat lunch with a teacher or principal.

Start and maintain a vegetable garden.

Dance to favorite music in the classroom.

Listen with a headset to a book on audiotape.

Be first in line when the class leaves the room.

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

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

Have a teacher read a special book to the class.

Earn a 5 minute chat time at the end of the hour.

Take a trip to the treasure box

          (filled with stickers, pencils, erasers, bookmarks, etc.).