Winning with Reward Charts
Dan Parker
Chief Executive: Dan Parker has worked in marketing and advertising for 25 years for many of the world’s largest food brands. As Chief Executive of Veg Power he now uses that experience to encourage kids to eat more vegetables.
Rewards charts can be a very effective way to encourage kids to try and keep trying a new vegetable until it just becomes habit. Read on to learn the most effective way to use a reward chart and a few pitfalls to avoid.
What message does an offer of dessert as a reward for eating vegetables give? It says that vegetables are “disgusting”, a chore, and that sweet treats are a prize to cherish. You may get your child to eat a little more broccoli today but you’re teaching unhealthy food habits they might keep for life.
REWARD CHART TIPS
Get your own house in order
Parents, carers and members of a child’s home set an example, good or bad, that a child will see as normal. So, the first step to healthy veggie-loving kids is healthy veggie-loving adults. Everyone tucking in and enjoying a wide variety of vegetables will lead the way.
FIND A REWARD CHART
First thing you’ll need is a reward chart. We have a couple you can download and print. One from our popular Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign which is excellent for kids who eat little veg and another featuring Shaun the Sheep eating the rainbow which is useful for increasing variety of veg. Of course, you or your child can make your own, they can just be a very simple grid or path for stickers.
Getting started
Find a time when the kids are not too tired or distracted, ask them if they want to play with the chart and what rewards they might like – and if you don’t have a dinosaur handy, then maybe ask them again.
Pin up the chart
Pin the chart up in a prominent place. Whether they are adding stickers or colouring in, make sure you watch and congratulate your kids as they complete each step.
Small steps
You must take the pressure off, however frustrated you might be, if the child feels pressured, they will likely push back or clam up. You know your child – if they are very reluctant to eat veg then give them their first step on the chart for just having the veg on their plate, better still just a sniff, maybe lick. Progress to a mouthful and then on to a portion.
No tricks
Don’t rely on hidden veg. Again, you might score a quick win today but you’re not teaching your child good food habits for life.
Rewards work, but choose them carefully
A “well done”, a big hug and a smile from parents or carers is the most important reward you can give – and the most important advice we can give to you. You can also encourage kids to collect towards a prize they would really enjoy such as a new toy, or a trip to the park, the beach, a day out or just time with you – just make sure that you never use food as a reward. You know your kids and what will motivate them.
Acknowledge success
Our Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign makes veg fun – so join in the fun! Say things like “you really defeated that broccoli” or “you’re going down peas”. Also make a big deal of success, try to avoid pushing your children too hard or criticising any failure – you can always try again tomorrow.
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