Yr 1 chocolate buttons and biscuits to motivate??

[skidd]

DD has started in Yr 1 after having a fantastic year in Reception. They have started doing this Big Writing (talk about a topic and then write about it)thing every week and the teacher gives them a biscuit when they start "to make their brains work" and then chocolate buttons as a reward when they have finished. I'm not sure if chocolate buttons are also given for other tasks.

This annoys me on 3 counts:

1. They have a strict healthy eating policy and no crisps, biscuits etc allowed in pack lunches and then they themselves give the children biscuits/chocolate

1. They are giving the children the completely false information that biscuits "make their brains work" - (willing to let this one go and I think I find this more annoying than most as I know the research through my work)

1. That they feel it's necessary to motivate children in this way - why can't pride in doing some great writing be enough - or a sticker (which they also have) or going up in assembly (which they also do) - it just seems so unnecessary...

Does anyone else's school do this? Does anyone else think it's a bit ridiculous? Sort of want to raise it but am worried I will come across as a pushy opinionated middle-class nightmare parent (which I probably am...)

I wouldn't like it either. My son in y1 gets a sticker and verbal praise for good work and/or effort.

I would be asking about the biscuit to make the brain work. Hopefully your child has misquoted the teacher. Could the chocolate button be a one off or wishful thinking? I don't think that sweet treats are appropriate for the situation that you describe.

Yes agree, in particular re the chocolate buttons - could it be wishful thinking? My DS (also reception) told me the other day that the class treat for filling the marble jar was a piece of chewing gum for everyone. Now that was clearly absolute rubbish, but he was very convincing! I suspect (hope?) the same is true in your situation.

Oh fgs, lighten up. Lots of children, and frequently boys, like instant rewards. It works in the beginning, especially for writing, then is phased out quickly when it has served its purpose.

I cannot imagine getting narky because school has fed my child chocolate buttons.

No agree Feenie that it wouldn't bother me either, although can think of several real life friends who it would do. I still think it's worth bearing in mind that 4/5 year olds are very prone to exaggerating though - I do tend to take half of what DS1 says with a big pinch of salt. It never fails to amaze me how many of my friends seem to take what their DCs say as gospel...!

I think that that is very wrong and I would be furious.

With Big Writing the rewards are meant to be grapes but they work much harder for a chocolate button than they do for a grape personally I use Rowntrees Randoms but sometimes Cadburys Heroes

skidd I don't know about your school but many of my pupils arrive at school hungry because they haven't eaten since school lunch the previous day (or they may have had a packet of crisps and an ice pop for tea) so getting some carbs into them does help them to concentrate and work.

Thanks for your replies. She is definitely not making it up/exaggerating as the teacher told parents they used chocolate buttons as rewards at the curriculum meeting at the beginning of term (I wasn't there but have heard from other parents).

To be clear, I am not too bothered about chocolate buttons per se, I am bothered that they have this healthy eating policy which they go on and on about and then flaut it, and that sugar is used to motivate them - do this boring old writing task and then you'll get a lovely treat

feenie - My DS1 who is in reception gets a hula hoop for his Big Talk or whatever it is called! And I know they also get chocolate buttons in Yrs 2 and 3 so it obviously isn't phased out that quickly

mrz - I'm pretty sure they do it just after lunch but will check with DD tonight

Where in any healthy eating policy does it say treats aren't allowed?! We teach balance - sweets/fats aren't eradicated totally.

We have a Healthy Schools award and use "sweets" as rewards ... I don't think a chocolate button once a week for Big Writing as a treat sends out an unhealthy message

No, I must be really, really shit.

I don't use them in Y5, they are trained up to write well. But I did use chocolate footballs in Y2 for short term goals, and they worked very well. Obviously though, though, this means my teaching is atrocious.

We also have a Healthy Schools - level 2, I believe.

I wouldn't even think of using food to motivate my children. Sounds like a dodgy policy to me, and I mean ANY food-as-reward.

Using grapes as motivators for the Big Write? Whose stupid idea was that??

Actually BarryKent, I'm a teacher and I would be inclined to agree.

(I am NOT calling Feenie and mrz bad teachers btw, I've seen far to much great advice come from them to do that!)

I wouldn't mind the buttons for a finished piece of work, but I would not be happy with a biscuit "to get our brains working".

What kind of stupid message does that send out to 5 year olds?

I really don't like the idea of using sweets to get kids to do things in school. Fine for parents at home, not for teachers imo. As far as I am concerned there are plenty of other ways to reward children, including working towards intrinsic rewards (a child being really pleased with himself for having done a good piece of work, I want to teach them that being able to write well is lovely in itself). My three main issues with sweets as rewards are:

• I don't think children should be taught that sweets are a 'reward' for something;
• it encroaches on the teacher/parent distinction - food is really an issue for parents to decide on, not teachers;
• I find it hypocritical if teachers can use sweets but parents are told not to include them in lunchboxes.

I have sympathy with Mrz where kids might not have had a meal since lunch, but they can be given a sandwich, banana etc first thing in the morning or at break time, no need to link this to writing work.

totally agree dikkertjedap.

Using sweets to motivate is lazy and sends the wrong signals to the children.

We don't link it to written work I am merely offering an explanation of why a biscuit might "get their brains working" children can't think (of anything but lunch) if they are hungry.
I do toast and breakfast cereal at the beginning of the day and could casually say it's to get your brain working rather than it's because your feckless mother hasn't bothered to feed you...

The sweets aren't to motivate they are for fun ... Big Writing happens ONE day once a week (or once a fortnight in some schools) so we are talking ONE chocolate button as part of a fun lesson (not to get you through boring writing ... if it's boring it isn't being delivered properly )
Big Writing is meant to be a special event ... dare I mention the soft music, low lights and perfumed candles and the sweet/chocolate button/grape is part of it being "special" different unusual ...

mrz I agree, offering toast and cereal is a good example to set, they do "get the brain working".

Encouraging 5 yo to think that a biscuit will do the same job is ridiculous.

I don't think a quick rich tea is as harmful and hunger

as not and

agree that toast/cereal in the morning is a great idea to help children who have had no breakfast concentrate - pretty sure the biscuit isn't supposed to be that although I didn;t know about it being a special event with low lights/music - I quite like the idea of that

But also agree with those saying it is better to motivate through the task itself

Feel better about it after hearing teachers' views on it actually so thanks for that mrz and others