Alternatives to Candy and Food Rewards

A note from Amelia: "We have felt it to be important to give resources to our leaders and teacher to avoid having food and candy in Sunday Primary. It has been quite a challenge because it is so easy to purchase a bag of candy."

USE CHURCH APPROVED RESOURCES AND FOLLOW CHURCH GUIDELINES

We highly recommend the use of only Church approved resources in Primary. Some of the rewards or recognition incentives may not be appropriate for Sunday nor for Primary, but may be awarded by meeting on a separate occasion at the ward building or in the home of a Primary leader or teacher. Please refer to your handbook or manual in order to follow church guidelines and directives. It is always a good idea to pray before implementing a program.

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

Rewards may send the message that the activities are unpleasant and require compensation. Rewards change incentives away from the act to the reward itself. When we start giving rewards for expected standards of behavior, we too often hear, "What will I get if I'm good?" The giving of rewards for appropriate classroom behavior implies that such behavior is not inherently worthwhile. Our goal is to assist students to be self-disciplined and independent problem-solvers. Yet, rewards set up students to be dependent upon external stimuli. If you decide to reward your students with objects, try to make it an exception more than the rule. Often we don't put enough emphasis on positive reinforcement.

CHILD INVOLVEMENT

The children need to be a part of creating the rules, rewards and consequences. If it is meaningful to them they are more likely to participate and they know what to expect. Children like consistency and they like to know what is going to happen when they are good and what is going to happen if they act out. As a class discuss your class rules. Prompt the children by asking them what a safe and respectful class looks like. Ask them if Jesus was to visit what would he want to see from our class? After you have brain stormed several ideas come up with a list of no more than three rules for your class. Ask the children what rewards the class should receive if these rules are followed. Ask the children what should happen if these rules are not followed.

ATTENTION GETTERS

At times we may strive to get our student's attention through incentives or awards, however, if you feel as though you are losing the attention of the class or an individual student you may want to try some of these ideas first:

  Start whispering
 Ask them to join you in a Primary song and just start singing. They'll join in.
 Kind words
 Eye contact
 Praise them while they are listening.
 Teach the children a prompt. (Examples: you say "their promises" they say "are sure." Or you clap twice, the class claps back twice. Or choose another key word that reminds them you would like their attention. Or a knock knock joke. )

INCENTIVE IDEAS

Social rewards "Social rewards," which involve attention, praise, or thanks, are often more highly valued by children than a toy or food. Simple gestures like pats on the shoulder, verbal praise (including in front of others), nods, or smiles can mean a lot. These types of social rewards affirm a child's worth as a person.

                    Recognition

 Ribbon.
 Certificate in recognition of achievement.
 Sticker with an affirming message (e.g., "Great job")
 Recognizing a child's achievement in front of others
 A photo recognition board.
 A phone call, email to parents or guardians commending a child's accomplishment. The child then hears their parents say something positive as well when they share the phone call.
 A phone call to the child commending the child's accomplishment.
 Mailing the student a card or letter commending his or her achievement. It is so fun & exciting to get mail at home!
 Catch them doing something good and praise them.
 Listen. Gives the message that they are important.
 Smile.
 A hug.
 Tell them a specific behavior you want them to do, and every time they do it , tell them you noticed.
 Give out high five.
 Give a picture of Jesus with a message "Thanks for being Christ like in my class!"
 Give a Badge that says "I was caught being good!"
 Decide on a student who has been particularly good and feature them as student of the week. Have the students write on a special card all of the things they like about this person. It could even be announced in sharing time.
 A personal visit helps the student feel loved. Kids are totally different in their own home environments and we get to know them in a new way. I have discovered talents I would never have known about that way.
 Have a mailbox. Ask ward members to write to the Primary.
 Give a child a mini Mormon Ad for their birthday or other special occasion. These are available from Church Distribution, a set of 8 for .50 cents.

PRIVILEGES

 Going first
 Choosing a class activity
 Helping the teacher
 Teaching the class
 Reading to a younger class
 Eating lunch with a teacher
 Designing a class or hall bulletin board
 Writing or drawing on the blackboard/whiteboard
 The line leader on a walk.
 The one who runs a game.
 The one who gets to read a part of the lesson.
 The one who gets a positive call or post card sent home.

Class point systems for group rewards. Children may accumulate points toward a class reward or incentive. Keep track of points in creative ways. Points can be exchanged for privileges or prizes when enough are accumulated. Here are some ideas for points or ways to keep track of points.

 Play money
 Tokens
 Stars
 Sticker chart
 Color in squares on a chart
 Check off squares on a chart
 Add marbles to a jar.
 Add cotton balls to a jar.
 Have a picture of an important part of the lesson covered with a paper puzzle pieces. For good behavior, compliment the specific behavior and take off a piece of the puzzle until the picture is revealed. This may be done in one class period or one piece may be removed per Sunday. Revealed picture earns a reward.
 Have a can with the class's name, add flowers for good behavior, and take away when misbehavior is occurring. A certain number of "Flower Sundays" earns a reward.
 Make several circles for each child. Every time the student participates in the lesson or shows good behavior give them a wedge. This is a good way to get classes talking and involved in the lesson more. Encourage them to fill their "pie" or "pizza" by the end of class. Alternatively you could give them one wedge each Sunday.
 Write the word that is your theme for the lesson. Erase a letter for bad behavior. If the word is complete at the end of class give 5 minutes for talking or an approved church/scripture related game from the Friend or your lesson manual.

REWARDS FOR A CLASS

Whenever individual children have reached their goal, points can be added to the entire class's "account." When the class has earned a target number of points, then they receive a group reward. Children could decide on the goal they want to reach or the reward. Possible prizes include those listed above, however keep in mind that some may not be appropriate for Sunday nor Primary. Please refer to church guidelines.

 Reading outdoors
 Holding class outdoors
 Extra art, music time
 Listening to music while working
 Playing a game or doing a puzzle together
 "Free choice" time at the end of lesson (make a list of appropriate choices)
 A book read aloud to the class by the teacher on a separate meeting time.
 Do a puzzle created from a picture in your lesson manual or The Friend.
 Church Magazine subscription
 Step counter (pedometer)
 Create a game about things from the lessons this year, prophets, and include several questions on individual students in the class. You could play this game as a reward and give a personal copy as a birthday present.
 Have a treasure box that is opened at the end of the class if there is good behavior. Inside have special objects relating to the lesson. Have kids guess how these objects relate.
 pictures to color (could be copied from www.LDS.org)
 If the class earns a goal tell them you will wear a goofy hat in sharing time, or anything that embarrasses you in a silly, fun-loving way.

TEACHING: NO GREATER CALL

This resource book is full of wonderful ideas that will assist in many areas of teaching and fulfilling your calling. It is truly an inspired work.

PRAYER & REVELATION

Heavenly Father will answer your prayers as you go to Him for ideas and suggestions. Individual inspiration for your particular situation is an uplifting gift that will lead to many exciting and successful Primary experiences.