awards for kids

Classroom Reward Systems

by Presenta Plaque | on Jul 24, 2014 | No Comments

When it comes to keeping the little ones entertained and motivated in the classroom it’s all about changing things up. Kids, as we know, get bored easily at times and sometimes getting them to stay interested in classroom material can be challenging. Many teachers use reward systems in the classroom to keep kids excited to contribute and eager to learn. There are many different systems that have been used by teachers, both original and passed down. It all depends on the dynamic of the classroom and the age of students you are trying to engage.

Kindergarten-First Grade: At this age it’s fairly easy to keep kids motivated. School is a new environment for kids and the new people and new rules are usually enough to keep them on their toes. One of the key things kids should be getting comfortable with at this age is participation:

Make a chart with everyone’s names on it. Have them tally the amount of times they’ve contributed in class and reward the five kids (or whatever number you think is fair) who’ve participated the most at the end of the week. Remember to watch out for the repeat kids. You want to encourage the quiet ones too!

Second Grade-Fourth Grade: Improvement is always important, but right around this age, kids might get comfortable with school. Often the novelty of a new environment and new friends may no longer be enough to keep them eager to continue to improve. This is a good time to remind them their improvement is still being monitored:

Record the improvement of kids’ test scores. Let them know you’re monitoring this and encourage them to raise their test scores. At the end of the year, buy plaques for the most improved kids. They’ll love the special recognition and be motivated to continue getting better.

Fifth Grade-Eighth Grade: Right around this age, kids are beginning to value social relationships more and more. They may value hanging out with their friends more than they would recognition or treats. This is the perfect time to incorporate social rewards to encourage them keep up the good work.

Decide what your classroom needs to improve on, whether that’s test scores, chattiness, overall behavior or attendance. Every Friday, select one student with the best performance and allow them to sit next to a friend for the day.

High School Age: This is the time when kids want to be rewarded with things they don’t have to do. Whereas in earlier years, you could reward them with candy and stickers for the things they did do, now is the time to allow them to skip some of the more unpleasant things such as homework and dreaded assignments.

Make coupons for the kids who consistently turn in assignments. Reward them at random with a “free assignment” pass and let them skip it for that day.

As kids get older, they begin to have different motivations. Make sure to really take a look at your class and think about what particular rewards would motivate them. Remember, every classroom is different!

Rewarding Children in School with Plaques and Other Gifts: How and When?

by Presenta Plaque | on Nov 18, 2013 | No Comments

Recently there has been much speculation on the topic of the effectiveness of rewarding children in school environments with treats and awards. Surprisingly, some researchers now believe that rewarding kids for good behavior and other small classroom tasks isn’t the best way to encourage children.

Some research shows that giving kids small rewards to motivate them can become habitual and perhaps even lose importance in a child’s eyes. Children may come to expect rewards for duties that are expected of them such as doing their homework, paying attention or coming to class prepared. Often kids may think that since other children are being rewarded for these things, it must mean they are a favorite or the same is not expected of them.

It is important to set a bar for kids in classrooms and clearly distinguish from what is expected of them and what going above and beyond means. While rewards and recognition may have different effects among children and adults, one if the most important and valued benefits of being acknowledged is the feeling of achievement and the desire to work towards more.

In the classroom, it is important to establish that hard work and that extra effort can and will be recognized in time.

Recognizing children for their hard work at the end of a year with rewards such as a party can give them something to want to work toward in order to reap the prize at the end. In turn, working long-term toward a bigger prize can get children into the habit of remaining focused and working hard, even when there isn’t a sticker or candy awaiting them in the next few hours.

Plaques can be also be a great way to reward children as their permanence can mean a great deal to a child who is normally accustomed to receiving small and temporary incentives. An award plaque can be something they feel incredibly proud of and excited to share with family and friends. For other children, seeing this type of recognition and approval from adults can inspire them to want to achieve that and beyond.

Recognizing a child’s efforts can mean the world to them and, above all, it is important to help reinforce these values and behaviors in them. Whether they have received a reward or not, children seek approval and that is the best way to help them reach for even greater achievements

For Hallowwen, Reward Ghosts and Ghouls With An Award Plaque for Best Costumes

by Presenta Plaque | on Oct 03, 2013 | No Comments

On Halloween, everyone loves a big bag of candy, but before you know it, the chocolate is all gone, the wrappers are wedged beyond reach between your couch cushions and soon enough, all you have to show for the big day is a fat dentist bill.

This Halloween, Presenta Plaque suggests you get a little more creative with your “tricks and treats”. Kids love to get rewarded, and even more than candy, they love to feel accomplished. Giving awards is not only a great way to cut back on your dentist bills for the year but it’s also a great way to recognize your little ones’ costume efforts with their very own plaque. Your kids will feel proud to display their big achievement on their walls. Positive reinforcement is a great way to reward kids and now they can be reminded of their spectacular Halloween costume for years to come.

The fun doesn’t have to take place just at your home. Get together with other neighborhood parents and make it a block event! Little monsters will be happy to show off their stuff and maybe even get crowned the best for the night.

Let’s face it, Halloween is anything but “just for kids”. It’s a great time for adults to let out their inner kid too! If you’re planning on hosting a Halloween party this year, a “Costume of the Year” plaque is a great way to reward the most creative, gory and scary costumes of the night. Make personalized award plaques including: “Scariest”, “Most Unusual”, “Party Favorite” and more. Send out invites ahead of time and let your guests know the competition is on this year. It’s certain to get the spirit going and the fake blood flowing. It’s also certain to make your place the preferred haunted house on the block for many Halloweens to come.

Order Presenta Plaques now, before the big day. Our easy to use system lets you start your purchase process online so your plaques will arrive by Halloween night!

How To Reward Children For Their Achievements

by Presenta Plaque | on Apr 23, 2013 | No Comments

It’s important to celebrate children’s achievements both big and small. As you probably know, children’s self-esteem gets a significant boost when adults reward their achievements. All children should be rewarded for their achievements whether it be completing a school year, getting good grades, accomplishing a certain level in a sport or playing a major role in a piece for orchestra.

What you may not realize is that the reward doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary or materialistic. The key is to make sure to stay away from giving your children a bribe, because this could inadvertently teach them to only repeat the good behavior if they get rewarded.

Below are some suggestions for ways you can reward children’s achievements that are both monetary and non-monetary:

Complimenting your children for what they have done.
Surprising your children with a reward. This might be something like creating a lifelong memory by highlighting their achievement on a certificate and mounting it on the wall in an impressive plaque.
Being available and ready to interact with your children to celebrate, such as making a special meal for him/her or holding a special activity.
Sitting down with your children and asking them about how things are going with friends, school and activities.
Encouraging good behavior.
Baking something special.
Letting your children pick out a new game or book.
Throwing a party for your children and their friends.
Having one parent take your children for a special day together.

Research shows that intrinsic rewards for children, praise leading to self-worth, are longer lasting and transferable, whereas extrinsic rewards are one-offs, non-transferable. So, we suggest you make sure to not overload your child with extrinsic rewards! Award certificates are a perfect balance between the two.