Teacher promised a reward to child but didn't deliver

[Thebesthaveallgone]

Dd's teacher promised a specific reward to my child on the completion of a task. The task involved a huge amount of work for my child and the reward was their sole motivation. What would you do if the reward was then not given and no reason given to the child ? It has caused real motivation problems. I am inclined to let it go but part of me thinks it wasn't fair.

What was the reward? Could your child have misunderstood?

The reward was a headmaster's prize which only about 20 kids a year receive. I don't believe child misunderstood because she spoke openly about how far she was progressing in front of her teacher.

I think you need to discuss it with the teacher so that you can then explain it to your child.

I think you need to speak to the teacher and say 'x is very upset because....'

are the awards only given at the end of term? or is it a weekly thing but last week another child was already in line to get one for something so your child will get one this week?

my DDs would be exactly the same so I can sympathise. the amount of time I spend trying to explain the logic of some of the reward systems in school when frankly I am not sure there is any logic is just ridiculous.

Was the task completed to the required standard? It just sounds odd that your child would have been given a task and told in advance that they'd receive a much coveted prize if they completed it...
I presume all the children had an equal chance?
Check to see if there was some misunderstanding.

I don't think it would be unreasonable to speak to the teacher along the lines of "You know the project dc did? They thought you'd suggested that they would get a award if they completed it, is that right?"

Though if you haven't actually heard the teacher said it, then there's lots of ways in which the dc can misunderstand that. I know with dd2 (aged 10yo), I have conversations along the lines of:
"Mum, can I go to X/have X"
"Not sure, I'll have to see."
Later:
"Muuuummmmm, you promised"

Certainly for dd2, if the teacher said "Well, if you do that very well, then you might get this award" she would hear that as a pretty much "you will get".

Will arrange to speak to the teacher, a misunderstanding was my first thought. Now thinking that the reward was not open to all children but as a personal challenge to mine may be behind it. The challenge related to reading which DD (yr1)struggles with . To be honest I was delighted with the progress she made moving from yellow to green in 30 days . It's just she now thinks her teacher is a liar.

Ah. A personal challenge is different; and unfair to renege on. Definitely have a word.