I used to run a daycare for 1 year olds. I've been out of it for a while but have been working the church nursery. Now, once we move and get settled, I'm looking to get registered with the state and provide care for kids 2-5. I've been racking my brain for reward systems based on points but the rewards are what's bugging me. I hate getting little toys and candy for my own kid, so I'm trying to think outside the box. Some of my thoughts are... If you get the most points then you get to be the line leader or pick the first seat.... etc. Do you as a parent prefer for you child to be rewarded with things or priveleges?
I would reward with priveleges, extra hugs, high fives, extra play time, gets to pick the next story etc. There is no need of toys or candy.
I have had a licensed childcare for the past 21 years. I don't do rewards, other than verbal, high fives, big claps, woo hoo's, and occasionally lending a book to someone. Kids don't want OR NEED tangible rewards, they want YOUR approval and attention.
Hope this helps!
no rewards! The kids know when I'm happy or pleased with their behavior, achievements, etc. Acknowledging them (in the moment) is all they need!
With having an inhome daycare, I really don't use/need line leaders. We're all together, we all share, we all take turns.....& that's it.
I agree with Charlotte Z that kids really don't need physical things as rewards. Even older kids get a bigger kick out of seeing an adult satisfied with them than getting some little token.
With that said though, I do want to offer this. When my kids were in daycare, one of the teachers had a glass canister (see through) in which she kept several different sizes and colors of those fuzzy craft balls. She called them warm fuzzies. If the kids were having a particularly roudy day, she would tell them that anyone who actually went to sleep at nap time (since sleeping was not required, only resting quietly), would wake up with a warm fuzzy under their cot. This was a VERY rare thing, so it was extremely special for the kids. When my daughter would get one, the look of pride and excitedness was just beaming off of her. I thought it was a really cool idea.
I think that in that age group (2-5), kids respond better to immediate positive reinforcement rather than earning rewards toward a prize. Maybe you could do stickers or small prizes for things like picking up toys & messes, or being a good listener, or doing good deeds.
that's a great idea. In my kid's daycare they rewarded them with small prizes if they earned a certain number of frogs on the behavior board. I was ok with this approach because it was awfully difficult to earn all five..so they didn't bring home useless rewards all the time. Good luck
My daughter is in a Pre-K class at her daycare. They have a treasure box of little toys & stickers & things. I don't mind that stuff, especially if it's a sticker - it gets used that day & then gets thrown away.
Just a month ago they started sending home a report for each child. On Monday they start a new sheet that has a box for each day of the week. In the box for the day, they will put a smiley face, straight face, or sad face depending on how the child behaved that day. Amazing how the simplest things can motivate them! They get sooo excited when parents pick them up, they want to see if they got their smiley face!! :)
The sheet also includes info on what letter & number they are studying & any other topics for the week. Plus space for the teacher to add any notes. Parents are supposed to sign these & bring them back every day. I think this is also helping the kids understand bringing in homework every day.
They also added a "traffic light" system. It's just a traffic light on a bulletin board made out of construction paper. Each child has their name on a clothespin. They start out with their clothespin on the green light, and the teacher will move it around based on behavior. This has also been a good motivator because they really want to stay on green!! :)
Hugs and praise. Definitely no things. I work really hard to teach my children to be intrinsically motivated. I wont let my almost three year old watch tv until he has picked up toys in the evening. After he has picked them up, I say, "Now, doesnt it feel nice to have a nice clean space?" or "Isnt it fun when you work hard and accomplish something?" Instead of focusing on the reward, I focus on his effort and the positive benefits of his effort.
I really think points and reward are a little to complicated anyway for toddlers.
I hate hate hate rewards. We don't do stickers, food rewards or points with DS and it drives me nuts that there are kids at daycare who get M&Ms for pooping in the potty. Teachers should recognize when kids do something right and be happy with them. But the idea is for children to develop an intrinsic motivation to learn and succeed - not to do this for a reward or praise. Best of luck.
