The reason for the item was an article published in De Volkskrant on Tuesday morning, 28 November, about De Wegwijzer primary school in Heerlen. There, giving out treats has been replaced by a festive activity. One of the main reasons is to put an end to visible differences in wealth between children.
Tilly, who herself was a teacher at two primary schools from 1985 to 2003, recalls how at the time children were mainly given bags of crisps and sweets, an ice cream in summer and, every now and then, something healthy. She also saw during her final years in education that the treats were becoming increasingly elaborate and numerous. Marina says that when her children attended primary school, she made, among other things, a bacon treat cake and raisin robots, but she also sometimes handed out tangerines.
Those celebrating a birthday celebrate
Tilly understands De Wegwijzer’s choice. She also referred to the ‘Those celebrating a birthday celebrate’ campaign, which was launched in 2022. “The reasons for this were that the treats were becoming increasingly elaborate and that in some neighbourhoods not every parent could still afford them. Through this campaign, we want to encourage schools to discuss giving out treats and to celebrate a party as an alternative.” Tilly is not fundamentally opposed to giving out treats: “If parents can afford it and it is done healthily, fine!”
Marina suggests alternatives for vulnerable parents. “A school could set up a treat fund, to which parents with higher incomes contribute more. Moreover, celebrating a party takes more time.” Tilly disputes the latter: “Celebrating a birthday at school takes fifteen minutes, just as long as giving out treats. What’s more, the birthday children do not have to go around the classrooms, because they stay in their own class.” She also has reservations about the first point: “At some schools, there are hardly any parents with higher incomes.”
Marina believes that giving out treats is very important for children: “Through giving out treats, they learn in their social-emotional development to give and receive and to say thank you.” Tilly endorses the importance of these skills, but points out that they can also be taught in other ways. “Moreover, children do not only give out treats at school.”