I’m curious about using reward systems in the classroom to promote good behavior among students. Do they actually work well or are there downsides I should consider? I’ve seen different approaches like point systems, privileges, small prizes, etc. but I’m wondering if anyone has experience with what really makes a difference. Are there certain types of rewards that work better than others, or does it depend on the age group? Also interested in whether these systems create lasting behavioral changes or if students just behave well when rewards are available.
My 5-year-old and I are wrestling with this exact thing around chores. Tried a reward chart, but he only cleaned up his toys when he caught me watching. Got me thinking - does his teacher deal with the same stuff in class? Is there a way to get kids doing the right thing when nobody’s around? Wonder if combining rewards with conversations about helping each other beats just using rewards.
I’ve seen mixed results with reward systems. One teacher used privileges effectively, while another’s sticker chart lost its appeal after a few weeks. Focusing on classroom responsibilities worked much better than candy or prizes.
My daughter’s teacher tried a points system last year, where kids earned rewards for helping classmates and completing work. They quickly figured out how to play the system, helping only when the teacher was watching or rushing through assignments just to rack up points. Those behaviors disappeared over summer, showing that the motivation was superficial. This year’s teacher focuses on reflection activities instead, where kids consider how their actions impact the classroom. It seems to resonate more, even if it’s not as easily measurable as a reward chart.
We’ve tried tons of reward systems with my kids, and timing is everything. The teachers who nailed it didn’t just throw rewards around - they made sure kids knew exactly why they earned them. My daughter’s teacher had kids explain what they did to earn points, which made them actually think about their choices. My son’s teacher would say stuff like ‘I saw you help your friend without being asked’ - that stuck way better than random stickers. The systems that died out? Kids just went through the motions. But when teachers tied rewards to growth or helping classmates, it actually meant something. My kids still talk about those moments years later, even though the rewards were tiny.
I’ve watched both my kids go through different classroom reward systems, and it really depends on how the teacher sets it up. My younger one thrived with a token system where kids could “buy” extra recess time or small treats. The teacher was smart though - she gradually made rewards less frequent so kids didn’t get totally hooked.
My older teen still talks about his 5th grade teacher who let students earn “choice time” to pick their own learning activity. That stuck with him way more than candy rewards from other classes.
At home, I noticed these systems work best when kids understand the bigger picture. When my kids only got rewards, they’d slack off once it ended. But when teachers mixed in natural consequences and helped kids see how their choices affected others, the good behavior lasted longer. 
Age matters too. My 14-year-old rolls her eyes at sticker charts, but she’ll work hard for privileges like choosing the class movie or getting homework passes.