Am I the only one this annoys? I CANNOT STAND that the teachers at my kids school give candy out for "being good" or as some sort of incentive! It's horrible IMO. Kids should learn early on that food/candy is not an incentive to do anything and shouldn't be used as a reward. Using food as a reward can lead to obesity. I have to personally ask each teacher to give my kids a sticker or pencil or anything else. I even donate items so they can use them but nope...they give out candy. I don't allow my kids that much candy and I find it really annoying. The teacher talks about health and nutrition and then hand them a candy. Ugh, that makes sense, especially with all the overweight kids in school.

I am dreading next week....more candy...probably more than usual because of leftover candy from last night. My kids have also been given popsicles to eat on the way home. Not in my car and I can't imagine the bus drivers appreciate that.

I feel like I should hype my kids up on lots of sugar before school to get back at the teachers who like to hype them up for me. I won't but I want to KWIM?

So, am I the only one this bothers? I know where are some schools locally who do not allow this type of bribe (which our school was one of them) so it's apparent this is unacceptable to others besides myself but I just felt the need to vent. Thanks

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Maybe you and some other parents should approach the PTA or principal? Where my kids go to school candy in the classroom for any reason is not allowed. Any treats they have must be under a certain amount of fat and calories. I think it might bother some parents, but I like it. I was hating my kids having a cupcake every other day for some celebration. I don't feed my kids like that either. It's not horribly strict either.. a few donut holes or a small rice crispy treat is fine. The kids seem just as happy celebrating their birthdays with mini muffins or fruit rolls as they are with sugary stuff.

You can also ask your child to bring the candy home and tell them you'd trade it with them. My kids will often save soemthing they know I probably don't want them to eat.

Here they are also going to start offering an "ultra" healthy meal choice every day. If the kids try it they will be given a school coin. With so many coins they can buy a water bottle, t-shirt, jump rope, etc. They are even buying some wiis so the kids can be active during indoor recess.

My son's classroom has a treat jar filled with "junk". I'm not thrilled about him bringing all that stuff home either, but I agree that it's better than candy.

Ours has rewards that they can earn but it is actual toy prizes--NO candy.

I guess I am a horrible teacher. My kids earn tickets (seagull slips) for following the school's behavior policy. I let them buy chips, candy, "sit at teacher's desk" coupons, and items like that. It would be awesome if kids would follow rules, etc. just because it makes them feel good and they know better. But...they are kids. Didn't know it bothered parents. I will survey my moms and dads. Thanks for voicing your opinion! :-)

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Wow, SS - That stinks!

I know why teachers do it - it's cheaper than buying other highly coveted awards, and it's a quick on-the-spot incentive.

But you're right - the problem is that we're feeding into an unhealthy concept of food as reward, in a society proven to have a generally unhealthy relationship with food.

Our school incorporated a "wellness" program last year - no more celebrating any birthdays or holidays with food! They encouraged kids and families to brainstorm other ways to celebrate, and have been working off of that growing list. My 3rd grader just had a food-free party last year - she loved it! They had a ton of games, music, and dancing! All the kids worked hard for that party for a long time, unlike the candy/food treats that kids "earn" instantly.

The principal was instrumental in the wellness program - he said he anticipated losing 20 pounds in a school year, due to the reduction of 700 cupcakes he wouldn't be offered (implying that he's given a cupcake from each birthday child during the school year - the school has 700 kids).

I'm willing to put up with the junk prizes, as well - anything but the candy!

D

ETA mdrpooh, you are NOT a bad teacher! Candy is a very common incentive, and you're trying to create a positive classroom. Here are some other options, if you are interested (from my kids' class)

Group incentive plans -
earning PJ day - get to wear pj's to school (probably best for the 6th grade and under crowd...)
earning crazy hairstyle day (kids get really into this - definitely my kids' favorite)
earning movie day
earning class outside day
earning game afternoons

And the one that the teacher has promised that they could earn for the LAST day of school only - he will call them "Mr Smith, Ms. Jones, etc., and they will get to call him by his first name (which, for some reason, is somehow exciting for them!).

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I agree that is does get bothersome when the kids are given sugar as a reward...my DS teacher gives them other things as rewards, such as "free time" to play with hands-on items in the classroom, extra reading time, etc. I think though, that at our school it is up to the teacher

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Oh Oh! I'm guilty of being one of those bad teachers mentioned. After 10 years of teaching, yesterday was the 1st time I wondered if the sweets we have at school bother any of the parents. Sexysmurf, if I had your child in my class, I'd be so appreciative At open house, I asked for donations for our prize box and received nothing-I teach in a very low income district. Devinmom, you are completely correct in regards to the price of these incentives. I can buy pencils($.10), stickers ($.15), cute erasers ($.15), or dollar spot items for $.25(sometimes I can break them-up) The cheaper alternative is to buy 250 pieces of candy the day after Halloween for $2.50. For 5th graders, they appreciate praise and certificates (not very cheap), but they like candy more

Our district has adopted a Wellness Plan. We encourage parents to bring in healthy treats only and for those parents who don't follow with unhealthy treats they can be passed out but outside the classroom because I don't want other parents complaining.


I don't give out candy to my students for incentives. They get stickers, trips to the treasure boxes (one is filled with erasers, pencils, bookmarks, pens and the other is filled with books), crayola stamps for their hands, paper certificates (usually them them at the Target $1 spot for a quarter on clearance or The Dollar Tree. I also make them at Printable Certificates, Certificate Maker, Free Award Certificates, Blank Awards and More

(For the So. Cal teacher do you have a Raft store? (I'm in Nor. Cal and my district pays for my membership and I get all my treasure box goodies for under $20 for the entire year)

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How much candy are we talking?

My son is only in kindergarden and if they do a good job on their work she gives them a tootsie roll at the end of the day. I am not going to go overboard about that it's not that much and all the sweets he eats each day.

Thanks, Devinsmom. I do those things, too. But, I am quilty of dropping a mint or a piece of Laffy Taffy on someone's desk when they've been really quiet or have picked up, etc. It's used sparingly in my class this year because I have a tough bunch...who would rather have a little tootsie roll than anything else. I can't really remember using "candy" in my treat box in exchange for tickets, but I do have 100- calorie pack cookies and stuff like that.
Someone made the comment that they should hype the kids for us (teachers) so we can experience it. Believe me, ALL of mine come to school that way! :-)

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In my personal opinion....whats wrong with candy. Unless a teacher is stuffing your kid with candy..I doubt that some is a bad thing (moderation is a key to anything). Yes, pencils and stickers would be great also or a great alternative! As an adult I still love candy...and if you saw me in person you wouldnt believe that I have a sweet tooth(Im ultra thin).

(I love the selection of sugar free candy they have now just about anywhere nowadays!....granted it may cost more$$$)

I'll put my 2 cents in. I remember being in grade school and one of our teachers would hand us out lemon drops sometimes if we were good. I remember thinking it was such a treat, but something that didn't happen very often.

How much candy and how often are we talking here? A fun size candy bar or a Tootsie Roll pop once week? If so, then to me, that's no big deal. I don't think that sort of award system is causing childhood obesity or food issues. Fast food, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, etc....those are your culprits, imo.

If a periodic candy treat helps to run a smooth classroom, it's A-OK by me. The pencils, mini erasers, stickers, etc were never interesting or motivating to my boys.

I make them do their homework, though - so it's not all mrs. nice guy!!

cj/

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My kids got it all the way through elementary school. They used to tape in on their homework, pass it out for everything. They always got candy at school. The teachers wanted your leftover/extra Halloween candy and they'd all take it and hand it out (including the PE teacher - which I thought was weird).

It continues in middle school, on less of a scale, though.

It's funny...our district brags about their healthy lunches - whole grain rolls, nothing fried, got rid of a lot of the high calorie snacks, but then there's still tons of candy.

I gave up years ago. I figure I'm teaching them healthy eating, they're both slim & active, they'll figure it out.

Lisa

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I would prefer extra recess or free time to work on homework before the end of the school day so maybe they could get a night free from homework or if no homework to be able to sit quietly and read. Most of the people wouldnt know actually how much candy the kids are given, only by how much survived the trip home

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I can't get too excited over candy. My kids eat very healthy at home, so I don't see the harm in a treat. I just don't. But if you do, have you asked you child to say "no thanks".

However, a few years back our school stopped allowing cupcakes/treats in the classroom for birthdays, and instead do a once a month celebration for all the kids w/a birthday in that month to attend (donut hole treats are given, with pencils and other little gifts, sponsored by the parent teacher group).

The teachers are not allowed to give candy either. Last year a mom complained that the ccd (religious education) teachers were giving candy as a treat once a week and that was disallowed too.

If it bugs you perhaps you could talk to your ptg group and suggest they sponsor something similar and at the same time address the candy/teacher issue on a larger scale.

DD's fouth grade teacher rewards them with Jolly Ranchers that they can eat after school since the school has also adopted the Wellness Plan (not exactly sure what it's called here but I know it's state mandated -- no sugary foods allowed in school). I just cannot believe her teacher can get away with this but she does. I'd really rather she offer non-candy rewards. My kid is active enough without getting a sugar high every day after school. I don't complain though because in every other way, she's a great teacher for DD.

I did inadvertently say something in front of the lower grades (K-3)principal and she was quite surprised that this was going on in the other school. I think she might bring it to the attention of the upper grades principal so we'll see what happens.

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We never got candy when we was in school.
The only thing we ever got once in a while was a shiny colored star on our paper.

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I always gave candy as a teacher. I now have two small ones of my own and although I don't allow them to have candy at home, I think a small treat once a week from school is fine. Candy is much cheaper. I get highly irritated at parents who want to force their will on other children. In your case you said you provide the teacher with stickers etc.. that they can use which I think is great and there is really no reason for her not to use that incentive! Just don't ask me not to give my entire class candy just because you don't want your child to have any.

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Yes, I have asked the kids to not get candy as a reward and I am not listened to

How much candy? Well, a few pieces a day and that's too much to me. We don't have candy in the hose except halloween. If it were a small piece once a week I wouldn't have my panties in a bunch but it's enough a day to wire them up. It's just not needed. My kids are good so they get all the candy. They normally bring it to me and I pocket it. They are good about not eating it every time but there are times they are tempted because everyone else is and they do like candy. It's annoying because I GIVE them alternatives to give to my kids and they don't get them.

what wrong with it? I never got rewarded with candy as a kid in school. It wasn't allowed. We got stickers and certfiicates or extra recess...all fine by me. The problem is I believe that if kids see food as a reward in elementary school, it only gets worse as an adult. I see my parents "reward" themselves with big desserts or extra helpings of food. I want to try to teach my kids something other than that.

It's good to hear others who have candy free schools. I haven't talked to the principal yet but probably will at a later date. I worry about the kids who eat crap at home and then are given crap at school. I hate seeing an overweight child with a tootsie pop in their mouth every day. We are all entitled to a treat now and then but it shouldn't be a reward for behavior in my opinion.

thanks for the feedback

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Using food as a reward is usually a very bad idea. Sugar should not be given to children during the day especially if you don't know if they have it at home.

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Awwww, I remember we got stars in red pen a the top of the paper when we did well. That was it!

I am thinking it's all harmless, no ill intent, and she/he is probably a mc member! Candy is something that we can get free or cheap. Other incentive items like pencils, stickers, erasers, etc COST ! It's coming out of the teacher's $ and she/he is probably doing the best they can.

dl

I have subbed in a lot of different classrooms. A lot of the teachers use tickets as a reward system. In some of the classrooms, it takes several coupons to earn one little pc. of candy. But that is not the only reward. The kids are really excited to save up their tickets to have lunch in the classroom w/ the teacher, or to earn a homework pass. I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's not like they're getting a pc. of candy every time they do something good. Those tickets are such a great reward system for the teacher. And unfortunately, when most of them are having to buy their own supplies, candy really is cheap compared to a lot of things. Kudos for those of you that want to send in the supplies-I am sure the teacher will find a way to use them. Gosh, if you want to get uptight about a pc. of candy here or there, come see what some of these kids are eating for lunch-not just the prepared school lunches, but what good ol' mom has packed as well-there is so much crap! On that note, I did pass out dum-dums to the class I was subbing yesterday (had the kids all week). They were 8th graders though, and I must say, their behavior was wonderful after I passed them out and allowed them to eat them during class.

linnybop...don't get me started on lunches LOL I have seen what gets packed and it makes me sick. I also adore the moms who think the m&m bars are a "healthy snack" LOL What planet do these people live on? The little girl I take home from school gets "that lunch" packed for her, including caffeinated soda!

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I do see why Sexysmurf is concerned.

And as a teacher myself (currently staying home), I remember the need for affordable, highly sought-after rewards.

But frequent rewards of candy from teachers isn't doing kids any favors in the long run.

Our country is on the fast-track to an obese society. No, it won't be the teacher's fault per se, when Junior is tipping the scales at an obese weight by middle school, but the teacher's behavior will have been a contributing factor to the mindset of 'Your reward is this unhealthy, but feel-good-this-instant snack. You earned it!'

How did we all survive school in the age of the solitary gold foil sticker reward?

My current CCD teaching reward box is filled with no homework coupons, party favors on clearance from CVS and Rite Aid, temporary tatoos, mini scented erasers, little key chains, and tons of stuff from years gone by of 90% off Target. Yes, it's all "junk" but their health is not compromised. And nobody asks "Where's the candy?"

My sister teaches CCD as well, and she DOES use candy as a reward. She had a parent complain to her that he didn't want the kids getting any more candy. Her response was to ask this complaining parent to donate other acceptable items to her prize stash. He has not, at this point, taken her up on it.

I do see why it's done - I know what teachers are up against in trying to motivate kids and to not break the bank. But I am very worried about how all of these "rewards" really do anything positive for our kids.

To parents who feel that a little candy once a week is fine, I think the message is being missed, somewhat. It's not whether your kid gets to eat a trace of candy that week, but that the candy has turned into something highly sought after that's connected with praise for good behavior/effort. Our country doesn't need to put any extra premium on junk food - especially as a 'reward' for good work or behavior. Won't this likely set kids up to reward themselves with junk food when they are old enough? These food-centered rewards all seem benign enough, until they begin to add up...

Whew - I'm a little more passionate about this issue than I realized...getting off the soapbox now...

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I guess I think candy is OK as a treat or a reward precisely because it is not, and will never be, part of our everyday diet. Of course, the candy isn't the ONLY thing that is used as a reward - sometimes it's a candy, sometimes it's extra recess, or the chance to be first in line.....or ice cream! Just kidding! Trust me, with teenagers, money is far more motivating.

I think making something absolutely off-limits is equally dangerous and potentially more attractive. Your kids won't be with you always. I view my role as building a foundation that will help my children make good choices when i'm not there to make decisions for them. Using moderation with treats and junk foods is one such lesson. And for what its worth, my kids halloween loot is a big deal for a few days, and then thrown away come Easter...LOL.

And last time I talked to my son at college he told me that he misses vegetables in the dorm food - so I can't have messed up too bad.

cj/

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I guess I really don't see anything wrong with it. Even one small piece a day, like a little tootsie roll or a single square of laffy taffy, is fine as far as I'm concerned. If it truly is several pieces a day, then you could probably say something to the teacher, asking it to be more limited. Teachers have their hands full and if giving out something so insignificant helps them to get kids to behave, I say go for it. I think sometimes the personal preference of one overrules the options for many, and it's probably better for the "one" to find a different way to handle it - like what someone else mentioned about the kids turning in the candy at home for privileges or whatever.

I will admit that I do occasionally use candy as a reward or prize. As an 8th grade teacher,I am afraid that a sticker just won't cut it. I see 160 students every day, so the cost of an item is important to me. If there is an item besides candy that is not cost prohibitive, I'd love to hear about it!

It really doesn't bother me at all when my kids get candy as a reward, and as a teacher I know I used candy as a reward, as well.

My family didn't make a big deal about candy, so it never occurred to me that anyone would care at all if I gave their child a jolly rancher sized piece of candy as a reward. The kids had enough pencils already... and one more pencil would've just been one more pencil. Stickers they really could've cared less about - it seems like kids have access to lots of stickers so there isn't anything particularly novel or exciting about them. Get Highlights Magazine? Then you get lots of stickers in the mail. Get a shot at the Dr's? Have a sticker. Walk into WalMart? Here's your smiley sticker. They just don't *mean* anything to kids - or at least they didn't in my classroom - so they weren't any sort of a motivator... and neither were pencils. They viewed even the cute pencils as utilitarian - just something related to the *work* they were called upon to do in class.

My family didn't make a big deal out of candy, one way or the other. My mom didn't get in a tizzy at the thought of candy and the ills that it might cause, and she also didn't buy bags and bags of it to keep around the house. I recall getting candy as a child at school from the treat box on occasion.... and it *was* a treat because it wasn't something we necessarily got every single day otherwise.

My eating habits really don't have anything to do with those experiences. They have far more to do with the foods I was raised to perceive as 'typical' and 'normal' and 'usual' foods than the little 'extras' like a candy bar here or there. Kind of like my typical tv diet is the news... it's what I grew up as my 'tv meat and potatoes', and sitcoms were more along the lines of fluffy dessert.... fun for awhile, but ultimately not as fulfilling as the news.

If parents are doing a good job making sure kids have healthy eating habits modeled at home, I can't imagine that some pieces of candy at school now and then will turn them from fit to obese 20 years later... and I also, unfortunately, think that a child who is raised in a home with terrible food habits being modeled will not grow up doing things differently because of a wellness program in a school. It's a nice idea, and probably provides back-up and emphasis for families who already do a good job with food at home.... but my best guess is that it won't do much for a child whose diet is built around Pringles, Coke, and Oreos at home.

I may be scolded but I don't have a problem w/ a few pieces of candy. When I was in the classroom, I would hand out one piece of candy to each student to keep on their desk all day as an incentive to behave well in class. If they were talking or passing notes during class, I would quietly walk over and remove their candy; then it was up to them to earn it back with good behavior. Worked like a charm.

I suppose that it could have also worked with a token to then use to buy a small prize or toy from the teacher's treasure box.

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Lots of the teachers gave out candy when my kids were in school. I was really surprised. Geez, back when I went to school in the dark ages they didn't need to constantly reward us for behaving or trying to do well. That's what's part of the problem these days-instant gratification for everything!

I think that was because if we did something wrong and the teacher called home boy we would be in big trouble by our parents. Now a days it seems like parents never think their children do anything wrong and their dear child is just being picked on. These children learn that they never have to be responsible for anything they do.

I'm in Arkansas and when Gov. Huckabee was in office, he did away with ALL goodies--took the soda machines out of the schools, etc. (Geez, we parent volunteers can't even get a soda now--I could care less about my elementary kids getting them as I didn't send money for that stuff anyway so it didn't affect my family--I mean, where are these kids getting money for this 'stuff' at this age unless the parents are sending it? At what point do we take the rights/responsibilities to choose away from the parents? I know I don't want anyone dictating to me what I can give my kids.). By him just taking away the soda machines in our district and surrounding ones (I read this in the paper the other day), the schools lost several thousand dollars per year. I'm fine with replacing them with water or juice machines, but just put something back in to drink! LOL. Put in fresh fruit machines even. We can't even celebrate the kids b'days at school anymore. Remember how much fun that was when you were a kid? I mean, you can't even send in a piece of candy for each kid. I do understand that with 25 kids in each class it was probably a lot to have cupcakes, etc. several times a month so that doesn't bother me I guess. We are only allowed so many 'celebrations' per year in school since he made the new rules (he got on a big health kick when he found out he was diabetic and he lost all of that weight FYI--great for him to get healthy but he did get a wee bit carried away.). I guess most of it I just associate with 'being a kid', but I agree there are so many issues these days with overweight kids that we all probably need to get back to healthy. I think the number one reason though is that kids don't go out and play like we did when we were kids. There are so many issues out there with 'rewarding with food' (psychologically speaking I mean) it's a tough call, yet it 'works' with most all kids to keep behavior in check. I see it both ways I guess.

Now, my problem isn't really with all the changes to the snack/celebration policy, it's just that WHY in the world did Huckabee (and all other states that have this policy) not START with the horrible school lunches?! One day chicken nuggets, next day hamburgers, next day pizza, etc. They rarely get fresh fruit. More expensive I know. Their reasoning for the 'junk' is that 'if you serve anything else the kids won't eat it'. Well, maybe but my kids love broccoli, salads, all fruits, etc. I don't have a problem with candy as rewards, just not all the time (I agree with the other posters that said that teachers do not have the disciplinary back-up from parents/administrators that they had when we were young--sooo many parents in denial, lawsuits, no punishment at home if they get in trouble at school, etc.). In fact, one of my 'big rants' with this generation in general is that they get STUFF for everything and everything is celebrated and everyone is celebrated (example: one kid has b'day party, ALL kids get small gifts). Nothing is 'special' anymore and it seems like everything is expected. The 'stuff' all the time drives me nuts. I'm all for going back to shiny foil stickers. In fact, my kids are more proud of something neat a teacher has written on their paper when they do well than anything else really. They can't wait to get home to show it to me or their dad. I in turn put it up on the fridge for a week and they are so proud. Of course they love the treasure box too, as most kids do. Don't they call this the "me generation" or the "stuff generation"?

I guess I'll give my two cents... heh. I haven't read all of the responses so bear with me.


Story to share...

I have a 13 yo son with an incredible sweet tooth (6 feet tall, 135 pounds). We withheld sweets from him as a child. We finally had to lift some of our restrictions because it was becoming a serious problem (ie he was sneaking, lying, etc. in order to get sweets... one day, he snuck 8 ice cream sandwiches while I was at Kung Fu with my younger son).

He's not diabetic or obese yet, but I do fear that he will be one or the other as an adult; once he stops growing taller.

We've taught him good nutrition ALL of his life but he still chooses sweets and junk over healthy food.

He has a responsibility to say 'no' and he chooses not to... his choice and he KNOWS this. You can only control kids so much before they will learn other *coping* skills in order to get their drug of choice; be it candy or other.

We finally realized that we needed to back off. He's a respectful young man and works hard at school. We have to choose our battles.


I see your point with candy as a reward sending the wrong message but from my personal experience, I believe that withholding candy also sends a bad message. There has to be a happy medium, especially for kids with an insatiable sweet tooth.

The problem, is that it's not just the main classroom teacher doing it. Also, the gym teacher and the music teacher, and the art teacher. Then after school when you go to the bank, or gymnastics or whatever after school activity-more treats. It seems to never end.

I am also bugged by this trend. I am also a teacher who gives out candy (or pencils) as rewards. My students have the opportunity to receive a small treat from me only once every five weeks. I teach lessons in music-violin....it helps them remember to bring their stuff to class. I don't reward them every time they are prepared though, only every five times.

I am going to look at oriental trading company and see if I can find prizes to give out instead-I feel like such a hypocrite. Tatoos, pencils, and other goodies would probably work just as well.

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sadarl, you make an excellent point. My kids, too, were more proud of good words from their teacher on a paper than anything. I would assume that the candy is often given out for behavior, and there aren't papers for that... but I do recall a teacher or two from my own childhood who would send home Happygrams with children if they had done something exceptional. The ones I received meant a lot to me!

I may be weird, but I'd rather my child get a Hershey's Kiss than a Happy Meal toy from a treasure box. The Kiss is gone in a flash and the reward was sweet and pleasant. A Happy Meal toy gives them a quick, "Cooooooool!" feeling..... and then when they realize the plastic gizmo doesn't really *do* anything significant it ends up in the bottom of the bookbag... and then the bottom of the toy closet... and then in pieces... and then in the trash without ever really being significant to the child. It almost diminishes the power of 'prize winning' when the reward is something that assumes some semblence of crappy permanence in the child's perephial vision before it finally meets it's end when the garbage man carries it away.

With the candy, it's sweet, you feel smiley, and then you move on in life.

With stickers, they end up getting missed in the laundry and you get that patch of gummy stuff on their polarfleece pullover that just won't come off.

With little toys, you end up with a "thing" to have to either keep and shuffle around... or you toss it, which sort of downplays the value of being awarded anything.

With encouraging words, you supplant in the child's mind that he/she has value and is a capable individual who deserves to feel a measure of confidence that accomplishment is within their reach.

I prefer *not* to see anything come through our doors that I feel an obligation to maintain/keep/whatever over the long haul, other than a proud smile on the face of one of my kids. They can bring those home any day!

I just don't see how candy could inspire a kid to behave well.I remember when I was in grades 1-3, I was always getting in trouble for my behaviour in class.I was always doing silly things like making faces and playing around.I would have cared less what the teacher offered. At that time I was only interested in fun,not candy.
I also don't think candy could inspire someone to get good grades.I got good grades on subjects that I was capable of,and bad grades on subjects that were too mentally challenging for me.Candy would have never made me smart enough to pass a test that was just too hard.And a few pieces of candy would not be enough to make me give up my after school play time to study more often.

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My kids' school give cool pencils, erasers, stickers, etc. And I'm glad of it. If I asked my kids to bring their candy home and trade it with me I'd never know they got a treat LOL

What drives me nuts is that the bus driver bribes the kids with candy if they are quite and stay in their seat. He has to take rural roads, so his being able to pay close attention to the road is important, but I wish he'd find another way to convince them to behave. I've spoken to him before and he said that a Tootsie Pop is cheap and the little kids are the ones that tend to want to bounce around, and he buys the treats out of pocket. He also tells the kids to wait until they get home to eat it, and tells them not to litter, since he knows they probably won't listen.

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If I ever catch Not-Me he's grounded!!

hehehe my fil was a teacher and a bus driver, he never bribed kids to sit down, they either sat down or the bus waited until they was, same with my bus drivers we sat down or the bus wasnt moving.

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Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at:
http://bookcrossing.com

My other favorites
www.paperbackswap.com
www.wheresgeorge.com
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I remember being rewarded for comming to church every Sunday and getting candybars on the way back home on the church bus for going to church.Now THAT worked! and I was a very loyal christian for a long time as the result of those candybars.
Until ...my late teens when nothing could drag me away from my sleep and my nice warm bed.
They would knock for 15 minutes,lol and would not give up.

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Excellent point JackieDoo. I guess I failed to mention that. My son (4th grade) has his teacher,music teacher, pe teacher and literacy teacher. All give candy as reward. Then after school he has karate 2 times a week (more candy) and piano once a week (she give a TON of candy..not just a few pieces). No child needs that much candy. I don't *withhold* candy from my kids. They can have some but not enough to fuel a sugar high for days. I guess I would equate the amount of candy given to him in one day to be about 2 full size candy bars worth or more (if he has piano it's more like 3). IMO, no child needs 2 candy bars worth of sugar a day.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

While I don't think teachers giving out candy is a huge deal, I respect your position on it. However, it is much cheaper than giving out goodies. My DS's teacher has a great system this year. She keeps a small jar on her desk and they get marbles as rewards (keeping their tables clean, no one getting in trouble that day, etc). It takes a few weeks to fill the jar and when they do, the class gets to pick a reward. The last time they filled it the class chose to bring sleeping bags to school and have a "camp-out" in the last hour of the day where the teacher read them books while they were in their sleeping bags. It may not seem like much but it was a HUGE deal to the kiddos. They were so excited. Perhaps if you can talk to the teacher and offer some ideas of other ways of handling rewards without needing instant gratification she'll be more receptive.

Renee

Yous son sounds like mine, but I honestly think that between his height and his weight, becoming obese is not a problem he will ever have to worry about. My son is now 15 and he is 199 lbs and 6'4". He has a very nice physique, and a terrible sweet tooth. I make sure all my kids eat well, but they also get snacks and treats.

I think the OP is just concerned about the message it sends to kids that they needed to be bribed to do the right thing and bribed in a means that might promote some unhealthy side effects.

My biggest issue with giving kids treats without parental approval is that they just don't know the childs food allergy or health. My kid are allergic to so many things that if the younger two drink milk they have terrible stomach issues, and the younger three are all allergic to soy products. It makes feeding them hard, and I worry what they end up eating in school period.

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If I ever catch Not-Me he's grounded!!

I understand that but isn't a bribe a bribe?

I sub at school and I can honestly say that if I tell the kids at the beginning of a 3 day sub job that they will earn a candy treat if they are good for the three days, they behave much better then for any other bribe. Sad, huh. I do it for my sanity and only if a sub job is longer than two days because the second day is always the hardest day.

I haven't had to deal with other teachers giving it yet so that may be why I don't see it as a big deal. He goes to gym and art now and he is not rewarded there. Just the main classroom for now. Also my bank will not give candy they give stickers and Mayson loves to go there!!!

I give out a treat every once in a while (not daily). Usually parents are the ones who send it in. I would love to pass out fruit & veggies, but financially it isn't possible for me to do that on a daily or weekly basis. I do have my students keep a water bottle on their desk, which they can drink out of all day. They are also allowed to bring in a "healthy" snack to have during the day. Most choose fruit or pretzels.

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AKA: Airbornearmywife

We haven't had this issue in our schools...at least not with my kids. Rewards have always been pencils, stickers, etc.
My son is in kindergarten and every time they earn a smiley face (you get one for each day you haven't had any major problems), they get to mark it on a chart on their locker. When they fill a row they get to pick something from the treasure chest. When they fill the whole chart they get a bigger prize. My son usually picks a pencil from the treasure chest. She has other items such as play rings, stickers, little rubbery bugs, etc.

I believe it's the whole state of Texas, but we're not allowed to "celebrate" the kids birthdays by bringing in cupcakes and such. We've been allowed to send a treat or treat bag for them to take home at the end of the day. At our schools they have also whittled it down to only 2 parties per year. Normally they do a "holiday" party and end-of-school-year party on the last day. As far as I know there are no strict requirements on what type of food they can have at those parties. We normally have "good" snacks like crackers & cheese, fruit, popcorn etc and maybe a couple of cookies.
I'm curious to see how the food at these parties goes with my son's kindergarten class. They get a snack at 10:30am and then have lunch at 12:50pm. With the parties about an hour after lunch, I doubt they'll be very hungry. They'd probably enjoy just playing fun games.

peapie

Oh my goodness is this ever true!! I volunteered at dd's book fair last week during lunch. Lunch was fried mozzarella sticks, and a slice of WHITE BREAD! There is supposed to be a veggie side and fruit with the meal but I didn't see any on any of those kid's trays. I guess they have the option of not taking those items. It just served to further my conviction that my kids need to take their lunches to school. I let them buy once a week - usually on Fridays when they have pizza. My dd was one of the only kids eating a lunch brought from home which really surprised me. I wonder if parents saw what their kids are actually getting with their school lunch if they would still buy them.

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Cecilia

"We must love them both--those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject. For both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in the finding of it."
Saint Thomas Aquinas

I think the tomato sauce for dipping the mozzarella sticks is supposed to be the veggie for that entree.

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Honestly, doesn't bother me, but I've not had my children receiving ridiculous amounts of sweets in school. If they get a piece of candy, or someone brings in cupcakes for a birthday, I truly don't care. We provide healthy choices at home, educate our kids about the choices they make outside our home, but they are kids. I just have a hard time with prohibiting sweets or snacks altogether. Are we a fat country? You bet. Best antidote? Get the kids back out on the playground & give them recess that is truly active.

Our district policy for the past couple of years has been nothing can be served to the kids if the first ingredient is sugar. However, this does not apply during parties.

And I do believe part of the reason some people might be seeing an increase in the amount of candy & other items the kids are receiving as rewards (bribes) is that the teachers are at their wits' end with the amount of social work they are expected to do in addition to teaching! As a 6th grader, my math teacher taught math. End of story. A 6th grade math teacher now is expected to take care of 20 kids, 6 of whom have special needs, 3 of whom haven't done their homework because there isn't a parent at home who gives enough of a damn to help them, 2 of whom are cursing at each other, and 1 who is throwing a fit because he/she HATES math and wants to make sure everyone knows it. I'd be throwing candy from under my desk!

We all have the right to have our wishes honored regarding our children in school, as long as it does not conflict with the teacher's ability to teach the class. If my kids couldn't have candy, I'd send a note to the teachers, the principal and whomever else they came in contact with during the day asking that they not receive any.

My kindergartner gets one Skittle if he is a 'good rester' (i.e. stays on his rest mat and lays quietly for the whole time during rest time). His class is a very 'chatty' bunch and the teacher tried several other methods to get them to rest quietly and none worked. I don't think kids should be bribed with candy, but one Skittle isn't going to hurt him or make him obese. Otherwise, they have been keeping candy to a minimum in kindergarten. My third grader earns 'positive pennies' and can save them up for some kind of reward. His teacher has candy in her 'treasure box', but most of the kids save up for homework passes, lunch in the classroom, etc. rather than candy. A lot of the substitute teachers tend to bribe with candy, which I don't agree with. However, I limit candy at home and can deal with a reasonable amount being given away at school.

I pack lunches for my kids almost every day and monitor what they eat at home, so a piece of candy here and there at school doesn't bother me too much.

Sarah.........mom to Jason & Devin