Classroom confectionery: Some teachers stand by classic lolly jar despite health expert warning

Many Queensland teachers heeded the government’s crackdown on lolly jars in the classroom, but some persist. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Brisbane nutritionist Katie King, with three-year-old daughter Eliza. Photo: Liam Kidston

Queensland teachers have reignited the debate about lolly jars in classrooms despite the sweet treats being black-listed in schools around the state more than 15 years ago.
It comes as nutritionists warn the short-term sugar hit can have negative long-term effects, including on kids’ concentration.

Many teachers heeded the state government’s 2005 Smart Choices crackdown by replacing lollies and chocolates with healthier incentives such as pieces of fruit, or stickers and stamps.

But some state school teachers confessed they stand by classic confectionery because it works.

The debate over a lolly or chocolate jar as an incentive for students to work hard and pay attention, attracted varied responses on a Queensland teachers online forum recently.

Numerous teachers reported they have been banned from giving out “lollies, chocolates or other sugary foods” since the Smart Choices system came in.

However, one state school teacher said “it is a fine balancing act” and despite confectionery being an outlawed food: “If it works … there might be some benefits that outweigh the cons.”

Another state school teacher said they still have a “lolly box” reward system, and they make sure to be aware of student allergies or intolerances. They said nobody has told them to stop and it works not only for primary school students, but high school students too.

Another teacher commented they have a designated day during the week where they will give out confectionery of some sort to students.

A teacher who used to work interstate before joining the Queensland workforce said food rewards were not allowed at the NSW public and private schools they used to work in, but they had noticed chocolate is given out more freely in Queensland schools.

But other teachers said they found healthier alternatives worked just as well as incentives for students, including capsicum slices or orange segments.

Brisbane nutritionist Katie King, from The Balanced Nutritionist in Mansfield, said lollies, chocolate and other confectionery have always been a “special occasion food”.

“I can only imagine the challenge of keeping 30 children engaged in lessons,” she said.

“Nutritionally, confectionery and chocolate is going to send blood sugar levels on a bit of a roller coaster, so while they may be an incentive to inspire short-term concentration, they will be detrimental to long-term focus. Perhaps the next lesson won’t go so well.

“Perhaps finding a solution to incentivise children outside of food is the ideal answer. If we are rewarding kids with food now, how will that set them up to relate to food as adults?”

Tracy Tully, who worked as a teacher and principal for more than 30 years, implemented the Smart Choices guidelines at several of her schools.

Veteran Queensland educator Tracy Tully

She said the strategy recommends confectionery availability be limited to no more than two times per term, and she saw the benefits for student obesity and student behaviour in class.

“Yes it was very difficult (the transition), but I’m a huge advocate for it – there is no room in schools for lollies, sweets or bribes,” she said.

“Children or students don’t need to be fed sugar or processed foods to reward them for doing well.

“Food is such a huge incentive, but it has to be the right food. Why do we have to stoop down to soft drinks, or sugary food? We know down the track it is detrimental to their hearts.

“You can give them a little incentive, but it doesn’t have to be something teachers have to spend money on – it can be more creative.”

Ms Tully said allergies also presented a danger when it came to food as a reward.

“I’m not against birthday cakes – but I’ve seen too many kids I’ve had to call an ambulance for, it is just not worth it,” she said.