Doctor: Cara Familian Natterson, M.D., author of Your Newborn: Head to Toe and Your Toddler: Head to Toe (both Little, Brown and Co.) is in private practice in Santa Monica and on staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, St. John's Hospital, and Santa Monica UCLA Hospital.
Psychologist: Andrea Vazzana, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and clinical coordinator of New York University Child Study Center's Weight Management Program.
What are the risks of instituting a sugary-treat bribery or reward system?
DOC We all know that if you want a child to do something, a bribe is an effective way to make it happen: If you finish your dinner, you can have dessert. If you use the potty, you can get a piece of candy. We all also know, deep down, that this is a setup for disaster. When a behavior is rewarded with a material object—food or otherwise—your child comes to expect that rewards will be waiting with each request. If you fall into the trap of rewarding your child with sugar, the consequences can be dramatic. The sugar rush often leads to out-of-control behavior. Then there's a crash, resulting in moodiness or tears. The long-term risks are even worse. In this country, one out of every three children is overweight. When candy and sugary foods are used as rewards, children learn to covet them. Unchecked sugar intake is linked with childhood obesity, which can lead to a lifetime problem.
PSYCH The negative consequences of using food to reward good behavior, as an incentive to change bad behavior, or to soothe an upset child after a trying day go way beyond the short-term benefits. Research has shown that a child's preference for a given food increases significantly when the food is presented as a reward. Consequently, parents of children who learn to eat outside of meal and snack times, rather than in response to hunger, undermine their own best efforts to teach good eating habits.
What are some alternative rewards?
DOC I always suggest nonedible ones. For a child between 2 and 5, a sticker chart can be used. Set a goal, and when he reaches it, give him a sticker. After 5 or 10 stickers, pick an activity he's been looking forward to and make that the treat.
PSYCH Social rewards (attention, recognition, praise, and thanks) affirm a child's worth. Parents shouldn't underestimate the value of a hug and verbal acknowledgement of a good job; these rewards help children internalize the value of mastery. Privileges, such as allowing a child to invite a friend over for dinner, are also easy ways to reward her. And tangible rewards will always be popular. Keep a stash of special toys, art supplies, or books to reward good behavior. For older children, points can be given out and accumulated toward a bigger prize, like movie tickets.
Next Page: Which is the lesser of two evils—sugar as a bribe or as a reward?
