Ways to reward a child?

[Earlybird]

It's recently occured to me that many of the ways I reward dd for good behaviour are food related, and often sweet related. I'm not sure I'm happy with that method. I'd like to introduce some other day-to-day sorts of rewards, and also some very special rewards for exceptional behaviour that are not about biscuits, ice lollies, etc. What do the rest of you do to motivate your little ones to behave like angels? DD is 4.6, btw. Thanks.

See my thread about the Great Mumsnet Pasta Jar ...
It works wonders with my DS.
I agree that food rewards are not a good thing ... bad for teeth and future attitudes to food.

Most of the time,I think a smile,a hug or a 'well done' is enough. Worked with me and my sisters.
NT children (and indeed most with s/n)need to learn thar society's approval is the best reinforcer of all.

I tend to use good job with high 5s and a hug, silly i know but my ds is 22mths and he loves it. To physically buy something I will let him have a magazine or new book etc. So maybe if you can set a target with pasta for your dd then when she has say 10 pasta twists then she can go to woolies etc and pick a book or doll for under a fiver????

I agree with Moondog. A thank you and a well done. I don't think children should be rewarded in terms of money/presents/sweets just for normal good behaviour. It's like saying they are naughty and only behave well if they get a treat.

praise, a hug & kiss, doing her nails with sparkly nailvarnish (usually when she lets me cut her nails without trouble), going out for a ride on her bike, going to the playgroud, getting a special toy out or buying one that she really wants.

Hmmm well don't think ds1 gives much of a damn about society's views- and if a biscuit will get him to wear clothes rather than have me chase him round the house naked trying to struggle with him to get dressed then I'll go with the biscuit and not stress about it. 30 minutes of fight vs "ds1 - dressed then biscuit" and complete compliance- no contest.

The problem we have is that ds2 then wants the same sort of reward. (not so much of a problem when ds1 is at school). It might be time to introduce pasta with him. Thanks ghosty. Off to find the pasta threads.

We NEVER use food rewards. My folks never used them, either. Instead we got days out, the film of our choice, activities, to do something 'grown up' like bake with Mum or help Daddy put petrol in the lawn mower, play 'make up', etc.

Never got money, either.

Mostly the reward involved our parents' time. Much better than food or stuff.

Jimjams,obviously there are exceptions to general rule of thumb-I know that!