Praise is one of the most powerful tools a teacher can use in the classroom. A few encouraging words or a simple reward can completely change how a child feels about their learning. In nursery and primary classrooms across the UK, stickers are doing far more than decorating exercise books. They are helping pupils feel seen, valued and proud of their progress.At SuperStickers, we believe praise should be instant, meaningful and let’s face it, a little bit fun. When used in the correct setting, stickers become a powerful part of a child’s learning journey.
Why praise matters in early education
Children in nursery and Key Stages 1 and 2 are still developing their confidence. At this stage, learning is not just about results. It is about effort, attitude and resilience. Maths, English reading and grammar can appear scary to children yet these key stages, from age 5 to 11 set the child up for the future. Praise helps children understand that trying hard, listening well and showing kindness are just as important as getting the right answer.
When a child receives positive recognition, it reinforces good habits and builds self-belief. Over time, this encouragement helps pupils become more confident learners who are willing to participate, ask questions and persevere when things feel challenging, something that even grown ups lack today.
Stickers as a tool for positive reinforcement
Stickers offer instant feedback. Unlike written comments that may be read later, a sticker is seen straight away and often proudly shown to friends or parents. This immediacy makes praise more impactful, especially for younger children.
Teachers often use stickers to mark work quickly while still celebrating success. Messages like ‘Great work’, ‘Excellent listening’ or ‘Well done for trying’ help pupils understand exactly what they are being praised for. This clarity supports learning by reinforcing positive behaviours and attitudes in a clear and child friendly way. Resilient Educator states in their blog ‘Stickers are a great way to speak to that intrinsic motivation and recognise positive behaviour. Not only is it a concrete acknowledgment, but it is public, one that can be seen by other students, teachers, and family members. stickers are not just tokens; they are badges of honour’. We could not agree more.
Building confidence through everyday praise
Not every child shines academically every day, but every child can be praised for something. Stickers allow teachers to recognise a wide range of achievements, from neat handwriting and improved focus to kindness towards others or perseverance with a tricky task. All these moments are as important to a child’s development as writing a complete sentence or getting their times table correct.
This inclusive approach to praise helps all pupils feel valued. For children who may struggle with confidence, receiving regular positive reinforcement can make a huge difference. It reminds them that progress matters and that their efforts are noticed.
Supporting learning beyond marking
Stickers are not just for finished work. Many teachers use them to guide learning throughout the day. A sticker for good listening reading time or for following instructions reinforces expectations in a positive way. This helps pupils understand what good learning behaviour looks like without the need for constant verbal reminders.
Over time, this consistent encouragement helps children take ownership of their learning. They begin to recognise positive behaviours in themselves and others, which supports both academic development and emotional growth.
Making praise simple for busy teachers
Teachers juggle countless tasks every day and their workload is often cited as the primary cause of stress and burnout. Stickers offer a quick and effective way to reward pupils without adding to workload. They make marking faster while keeping feedback positive and motivating. It is just a sticker but as we have mentioned above and below (if you have stuck with us so far), it does have a huge impact.
Most importantly, they help create a classroom environment where effort is celebrated, confidence grows and learning feels rewarding. The real reason teachers go into education, to help shape small minds. If you haven’t read PlanBee’s Becky Cranham, Top 10 marking hacks for teachers, then this could help save you some time in your marking.
A small sticker with a big impact
The power of praise should never be underestimated. Something as simple as a sticker can help a child feel proud, capable and excited to learn. By using stickers to mark, award and assist learning, teachers are not just recognising achievement. They are building confidence that lasts far beyond the classroom.
At SuperStickers, we are proud to support teachers with resources that make praise easy, meaningful and happy every day. We have a host of different sticker (and non sticker) solultions on our website. Explore our site for more.
Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/national-curriculum
https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/stickers-motivation-positive-behavior/
https://neu.org.uk/advice/your-rights-work/teachers-workload-and-working-hours
https://planbee.com/blogs/news/top-10-marking-hacks-for-teachers
