Today is trophy day at our half term camps, one of the most anticipated days of the week (by the kids).
Rewarding children for their performance, whether in sport or other activities, plays a vital role in their development. It’s not just about winning trophies or getting medals—it’s about recognising effort, improvement, and dedication, which in turn helps to build confidence, motivation, and emotional resilience. As parents, coaches, and educators, it’s important to understand the impact rewards have on children, and how to use them in ways that encourage positive development.
At Tiny Tekkers, we believe in creating an environment where children feel supported, valued, and motivated. In this blog, we’ll explore why rewarding children is crucial for their growth and development, how to reward effectively, and why it’s important to focus on effort and improvement, rather than just outcomes.
Why Rewards Matter
Rewarding children taps into a fundamental principle of psychology known as positive reinforcement. This means that when a child is praised or rewarded for a specific behaviour or achievement, they are more likely to repeat that behaviour in the future. When used in sport, rewards can encourage children to push through challenges, keep practising, and stay engaged in the activity, here’s why:
1. Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem
One of the key benefits of rewarding children for their performance is the impact it has on their confidence and self-esteem. When a child’s hard work is recognised, it helps them feel proud of what they’ve achieved. This recognition builds their belief in their own abilities, making them more willing to take on new challenges.
For example, imagine a child who has been struggling with learning to dribble a football. They’ve been practising for weeks, and finally, they manage to dribble through a series of cones without stopping. If a coach or parent acknowledges this improvement with a simple “Well done, you’ve worked really hard and it’s paying off!”, the child feels proud and encouraged to keep practising.
Without this recognition, children may not see the value in their efforts, leading to frustration or a lack of motivation. When we celebrate their achievements—no matter how big or small—we’re giving them the encouragement they need to keep trying.
2. Encouraging a Growth Mindset
Rewards can also help foster a growth mindset in children. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, perseverance, and learning. When children are rewarded for their effort rather than the outcome, they come to understand that improvement is something they have control over. This is in contrast to a fixed mindset, where children may believe that their abilities are set in stone and cannot be changed.
In sport, it’s easy to focus on winning as the ultimate goal. But by rewarding children for their improvement, effort, and resilience, we teach them that the journey is just as important as the destination. This mindset not only helps them improve in sports but also encourages them to embrace challenges in other areas of their lives.
For example, a child who is praised for working hard to improve their running speed, even if they didn’t win the race, learns that effort is more important than the outcome. This helps them develop the perseverance they need to keep improving, even when things don’t go their way.
3. Building Motivation
Rewards are a great way to build and maintain motivation in children. In sport, it’s common for kids to face challenges that can sometimes feel overwhelming—whether it’s learning a new skill, competing against stronger opponents, or overcoming a fear of failure. Rewards give children something to strive towards, helping them stay focused and motivated to keep going, even when things get tough.
When children know that their efforts will be recognised and valued, they’re more likely to stay engaged in the activity and push through difficult moments. This is particularly important for younger children, who may struggle to see the long-term benefits of practising and improving their skills. By providing regular encouragement and rewards, we help keep them motivated and excited about their progress.
4. Reinforcing Positive Behaviour and Attitudes
In addition to recognising performance, rewards can also be used to reinforce positive behaviour and attitudes in sport. This might include teamwork, good sportsmanship, perseverance, or leadership skills. By rewarding these behaviours, we encourage children to see the value in being respectful, supportive teammates, and leaders on and off the field.
For instance, a child who helps a teammate up after they’ve fallen during a game is demonstrating good sportsmanship. By praising and recognising this behaviour, we show that being a kind and respectful player is just as important as scoring goals or winning games.
By rewarding positive behaviour, we teach children that sport is not just about winning—it’s about building character, supporting others, and learning to handle both success and failure with grace.
Types of Rewards: What Works Best?
While rewards are important, it’s also crucial to use them in the right way. The most effective rewards are those that are meaningful to the child and reinforce the values we want to encourage. Here are some of the best ways to reward children for their performance in sport:
1. Verbal Praise
One of the simplest and most effective rewards is verbal praise. This can be as simple as telling a child, “You did a great job today” or “I’m really proud of how hard you worked in that game.” Verbal praise is immediate, personal, and helps children feel valued and recognised.
To make verbal praise even more effective, be specific about what you’re praising. Instead of just saying, “Well done,” try something like, “You did a great job passing the ball to your teammates today—your teamwork really helped the team succeed.” This helps the child understand exactly what they did well and reinforces the behaviour you want to encourage.
2. Celebrating Small Wins
Rewards don’t always have to be about big achievements. Celebrating small wins along the way is just as important. Whether it’s learning a new skill, improving on a previous performance, or showing resilience after a tough game, recognising these moments helps keep children motivated.
For example, if a child has been working on improving their footwork in football, take the time to recognise their progress. Even if they haven’t mastered it yet, acknowledging their improvement encourages them to keep practising and striving towards their goal.
3. Certificates, Badges, or Trophies
Physical rewards, such as certificates, badges, or trophies, can be a great way to celebrate a child’s achievements in sport. These rewards provide children with a tangible reminder of their success and can serve as a source of pride and motivation.
At Tiny Tekkers, for example, we sometimes celebrate children’s progress with certificates that highlight their achievements in different areas, such as teamwork, improvement, or mastering a new skill. These awards not only make children feel proud but also reinforce the idea that effort and improvement are worth celebrating.
4. Time with Coaches or Role Models
Another powerful reward is offering children the opportunity to spend extra time with coaches or role models. Whether it’s a one-on-one coaching session, extra training with their favourite coach, or getting to meet a professional athlete, these experiences can be incredibly motivating for children.
For example, a child who has been working hard on their rugby skills might be rewarded with a special training session with a coach who can help them take their skills to the next level. This not only provides the child with valuable feedback and encouragement but also shows them that their efforts are recognised and appreciated.
5. Fun and Relaxing Activities
Sometimes, rewards can come in the form of fun, relaxing activities that give children a break from the intensity of training or competition. Whether it’s a team outing, a fun day at the park, or a pizza party after a big game, these experiences help children feel appreciated and give them the chance to bond with their teammates in a more relaxed setting.
By creating positive, enjoyable experiences outside of the sport itself, we help children see that their hard work is valued, and that sport is about more than just performance—it’s about having fun, building friendships, and creating lasting memories.
Focusing on Effort Over Outcomes
While rewarding children is important, it’s equally important to focus on the right things. Rather than rewarding only outcomes (such as winning a game), we should focus on rewarding effort, improvement, and positive behaviours. Here’s why:
1. Encouraging Persistence
When we reward effort over outcomes, we teach children that it’s okay not to win every time. This encourages them to keep going, even when things don’t go their way. In sport, there will always be setbacks—whether it’s losing a game, missing a shot, or facing a stronger opponent. By rewarding persistence, we help children develop the resilience they need to keep trying and improving.
2. Reducing the Pressure to Win
Focusing too much on winning can create unnecessary pressure for children, which can take the fun out of the game and lead to feelings of failure if they don’t succeed. By rewarding effort, we take the focus off the outcome and shift it to the process of learning and improving. This helps children stay motivated and enjoy the sport, regardless of the result.
3. Promoting Long-Term Development
By focusing on effort, we encourage children to think about their long-term development, rather than just immediate success. This helps them understand that progress takes time, and that improvement is something they have control over. In the long run, this mindset is far more valuable than simply winning a game.
The Power of Rewards in Sport
Rewarding children for their performance in sport is about more than just handing out trophies—it’s about building confidence, motivation, and emotional resilience. By recognising their effort, improvement, and positive behaviours, we help children develop a growth mindset, build persistence, and enjoy the process of learning and improving.
At Tiny Tekkers, we believe that every child deserves to be recognised for their hard work, whether they’re scoring goals, improving their skills, or showing great sportsmanship. By rewarding their efforts, we help them become not only better athletes but also more confident, resilient, and motivated individuals.
So, let’s celebrate our children’s achievements—big and small—and remind them that their hard work is always worth recognising!