Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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There are two main types of rewards: Informal and Formal
Informal Rewards
These are rewards that can be used every day to help encourage your child with any changes made to make their lifestyle healthier e.g. praise, hugs and kisses, other displays of affection, high 5’s, increase time spent with them.
Formal Rewards
These can be used with the goal setting. Examples of formal rewards include:
- Adding to sticker or card collection - with the aim of an overall reward after a specific number collected.
- A shopping trip
- A cinema trip
- Magazine
- Clothes or hair accessories or stationery
- Visit to the park
- Quality time with a parent or carer doing something the child enjoys
- Sleepover
It is important to make the rewards:
- Meaningful and relevant to your child
- Regular - consider using a sticker chart or points throughout the day for an informal reward. Collect over a week for a formal reward. A chart helps to keep children motivated as they can see how they are progressing
- Immediate - reward your child as soon as you see the behaviour you want to see
- Remember rewards can help with compliance
It is also important to note:
- Do not use food as a reward as this will encourage comfort eating and encourage the internal trigger of feelings
- Do not use food as a treat e.g. “Sweets on a Friday”
- Do not use a reward that you would have given anyway e.g. if you regularly watch a DVD together on a Saturday night don’t offer this as a reward as it will not encourage motivation
- Do not give inappropriate rewards e.g. don’t offer a trip to the cinema for a small change and a new pencil for a large long-term change
If your child is not successful with their weekly or daily targets or goals, then have a look at the reason for this.
Encourage the positive changes made and think about setting the next goal slightly easier or over a longer period.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.
About this information
Service:
Dietetics
Reference:
DT/130
Approval date:
1 June 2026
Review date:
1 June 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.