What should I do when my child asks for a prize for basic behaviours like brushing teeth? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child asks, ‘What do I get if I brush my teeth?’, they are not necessarily being spoiled; they are often experimenting with negotiation. The risk is that this becomes a habit, causing ordinary routines to feel like transactions. If parents give in regularly, children can lose the understanding that certain behaviours are simply a non-negotiable part of life. 

The best approach is to set a calm, clear boundary. A consistent response could be one of the following: 

• ‘Brushing our teeth is something everyone does to stay healthy. It is not something we get prizes for.’ 

• ‘Taking care of your body is your responsibility and part of the trust Allah has given you.’ 

It is important to keep the tone matter of fact, not angry. By repeating the same message without entering into a debate, you remove the potential for drama. Children eventually learn that tasks like brushing teeth, eating vegetables, or tidying up are expectations, not bargaining chips. 

What to Do Instead of Giving a Prize 

Instead of material rewards, focus on connection and verbal affirmation. These methods offer recognition without turning personal hygiene into a constant hunt for prizes. 

• Use positive words, not toys: ‘I am so pleased you remembered to brush your teeth on your own.’ 

• Make it a shared activity: Brush your teeth together as a family or turn it into a game with a playful timer. 

• Offer connection as the reward: ‘Since you have brushed your teeth so well, come and sit next to me for story time.’ 

If your child resists, remain firm but kind. Over time, the routine itself will become the norm. Raising children is not about creating endless reward loops; it is about guiding them to see daily habits as part of responsibility, care, and dignity. 

Spiritual Insight 

Caring for the Body is Worship 

In Islam, cleanliness is directly tied to faith. Brushing one’s teeth is not just a matter of hygiene; it is an act of worship when done with the right intention. The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regularly used the Miswak, making oral care a part of his Sunnah. Teaching your child that their body is an Amanah (a trust from God) makes the act of caring for it meaningful. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verses 222: 

‘“…Indeed, Allah (Almighty) loves those who repent excessively and those who adore their personal purification”.’ 

This verse shows that even simple acts of self-care, when done with sincerity, attract the love of Allah Almighty. 

The Sunnah of Cleanliness 

The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ directly linked personal hygiene with faith. By framing the act of brushing teeth as part of one’s Imaan (faith), parents can shift it from a reward-seeking chore to a spiritual practice. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 23, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Cleanliness is half of faith.’ 

This Hadith teaches that purity is not a small detail; it is central to our spiritual identity. Helping a child see brushing teeth as an act of worship plants the seed that even daily routines can be performed for the sake of Allah Almighty. That awareness becomes a lasting reward, one that is far greater than any prize a parent could give.