XP: Reward charts

ironmommy

Do you use one? Does it work? Do you have one you'd suggest?

I'm thinking of using one to help with our everyday battles over brushing teeth, getting dressed, picking up toys, etc. and would love your tips or advice. 

mrsmikey

We recently started using one.  I just googled and found some cute blank charts that I printed out.  The one I use has 5 places for chores or behaviors.  I started out with easier things, that we don't have too much trouble with.  At the end of the day he gets a sticker for the things he did.  At the end of the week if he gets enough stickers, he gets a prize.

I wanted him to see how it worked at first, and made an easy goal with a reward.  Now that he gets it, we've changed some of the things to areas we have more trouble with, and it seems to be working.  If he's not doing something, I just remind him he won't get a sticker and that usually gets him going.

brightning

We recently started one because DD has been slacking off on putting her dirty clothes in the laundry room. So I found a Tinkerbell connect-the-dots game online and transformed that into a reward chart. Every time she puts her clothes away, she gets to cover one of the dots with a sticker. When they're all filled up, she gets to pick out a new pair of PJs.

I think the key with any reward chart is to make it a manageable length of time - one week or so - before the child gets a reward, otherwise they lose interest and it is no longer effective.

And I know that they make reward charts that have a bunch of behaviors together, but for us it's easier to focus on one thing at a time. 

franciscaz

We use this one by Melissa & Doug Responsibility Chart (they sell it at Kohls and Barnes & Nobles):

 

We picked 5 easy goals that he can work on right now like picking up the play room and sharing (they have like 30 different options).  He has a goal of earning a happy face for each task.  If he earns 20 happy faces he gets a toy that he has been working towards (right now it is a Thomas backpack for the new school year).  It works real well for us.  He has earned 2 rewards and is close to this next one.

howleyshell

We use the Melissa and Doug one too. We do 3 at a time. No rewards. Getting to put up their dots at bed time seems to be plenty of motivation for now.