Healthy eating projects

   According to many studies, parents are using food as a reward for good behavior of their children. The majority of times they do this- use food as a reward- they allow to their children to eat unhealthy snacks, for example chocolate, lollipops, candies, chips and so on. So, parents should not use food like this. How can this habit effect on children’s behavior or their eating habits?

   Some parents claim that their children conform to their suggestions when the exchange is a snack. I firmly believe that this use for food is not a good idea. The children learn to do their responsibilities only because after they can eat unhealthy but delicious snack. With this situation the children are never truly responsible.

   On the other hand, with this practice parents lead their children to unhealthy diet, maybe over time obesity linked to this practice. In addition, another effect is the irresponsibility of children and they learn to expect rewards for any good behavior. The society does not work like this.

   To sum up, I think that parents may have to stop allowing their children to eat unhealthy snacks as a reward for good behavior. They could talk with their children about “good behavior” and find different ways to help their children. For example I suggest two different ways. Example one: “The Behavior Contract”; parents and children could agree to the terms of the contract, and when the terms are respected reward them with a trip, a book or something they want. Example two: “Board with stickers”; the children take a stick every time they do well their responsibilities. When they collect ex. ten, parents reward them.

   With these suggestions, I want to mention the importance of teaching them their responsibilities. Of course this situation stops when the children understand exactly what they are expected to do. In this way they don’t affect their eating habits but they help them to really understand.

  

Editor: Lalou Spiridoula-Maria

PrimaryTeacher