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Surprise!  Rewarding with Treats

By Dr. Anthony Volk

Most parents today are no strangers to the “time out,” or “the naughty chair,” punishments that we use on children to teach them the repercussions of bad behaviour in an attempt to discourage that behaviour from continuing.

But did you know that it is even more important to reward the good behaviour as it is to punish the bad?  To encourage the right way of doing things as it is to discourage the wrong?

Treats are an important way to “reward the good,” and positively shape your kids’ behaviour – just be sure to use treats as rewards after good behaviour, not as bribes before behaviour.

But not all treating can be considered equal!  The secret to ensuring rewards have maximum effect is rewarding sporadically; surprising with rewards rather than making them part of the routine.

For example, are you trying to teach your daughter to make her bed every morning?  Instead of giving her a sticker each time she completes the task, try surprising her with a package of stickers one morning, and thanking her for doing such a great job.

When rewards are given unpredictably, children will work harder for them, and will be more likely to continue the good behaviour in the absence of a reward.  On the other hand, children who are rewarded consistently come to expect the reward – and the treat becomes the motivation, instead of the satisfaction of completing the task itself.

A treat shouldn’t be automatic, but it can be a great way to help ensure that good behaviour lasts a lifetime.