DS1 (Yr5) comes home with at least 2 packets of sweets from his teacher every week

[create]

This is a "healthy school" and we get lots of notes about what's allowed for snack at break and in their lunch boxes, but honestly he gets 2 packs of sweets every week.

One is for having his reading diary completed, the other is for doing his homework. Not for doing it well, just for handing something in. So, as both of those things are always done, he gets the sweets every week.

If he actually does something well, there will often be extra sweets/chocolate or crisps (although sometimes a pen/note pad, or for something very good, a book)

Although DS is always thrilled to get these rewards, I'm not sure it's a good thing.

For one thing, should they really be rewarded so easily? Yes (maybe) if they've done an exceptionally good piece of work, but just for handing it in?

Why does it (almost) always have to be sweets? They have a house point/credit system too and my DC are thrilled to get their credits, so why not use those?

I really don't like the way being "good" is being associated with unhealthy food. Not saying they should have no sweets, but not sure they should be given in this way.

It is a school in an area where many parents don't read at home/make sure homework is done, so the school has to be applauded for trying to make this happen, but isn't there another way?

What do you think?

[CowWatcher]

Credits, and sweets/treats??? And just for doing what the children are supposed to do anyway?? Has the school historically had a problem with children just not doing homework at all? Credits and/or sweets should surely only be given for doing something over and above the bare minimum, surely?

I would have a quiet word with the head. Maybe your DC's teacher doesn't understand how the reward system is meant to work.

[create]

No, she's not new, has been a fixture for as long as I've been involved with the school (7years). She's one of the senior teachers and in charge of sport for the school. So thin herself she looks ill, but sure that's not really relevant

Thing is I don't really want to be the one who "spoils" things and do like to pick my battles. Not sure if this one is worthwhile or not.

[crazygracieuk]

I have a Y5 boy at a state school and they assume that every child will hand in homework so there's no reward for handing it in and a punishment if you don't.

There are rewards for regular reading but they are certificates/verbal praise/merit points

[annbenoli]

i am a teacher, a parent complained about teachers giving out sweets so now it is banned, what did the children say? They said that will be more healthy!

[choccyp1g]

Have a word, it's not appropriate to be doling out sweets that often. There are other ways of encouraging children.
Our "healthy" school gives lots of team points (mainly for good work, trying hard etc.) and stars for good behaviour. The team points get added up for the whole school, and that team gets plaudits once a month in assembly.
The stars add up to "prizes" which can be pencils, rubbers etc., or party-bag style toys, whistles, bubbles etc.
The only advantage for sweets is that they are cheap, so they can be given out more often and instantly, whereas the star system means you have to wait for the prizes, but they have a chart up so the children can see their progress.