The general strategy for using a kids reward chart is to award a sticker to be placed on the chart when your child has displayed a desired behavior, completed a certain task or chore, or when your instructions have been followed.

For example you might have an agreement with your child that are awarded a sticker when their dirty clothes go in the wash basket rather than on the floor, or it may be that they earn a sticker when they use their manners at the dinner table and ask to be excused when they’ve finished their meal.

And so it goes until they have achieved a full chart of stickers. That’s the typical milestone or goal of a kids reward chart. However, an alternative approach using the same reward chart can also prove to be particularly effective.

Now before we get into this, I must restate (as I have in other areas of this website) that using a kids reward chart is generally considered to be a tool for positive reinforcement. So with this in mind my aim as a parent would be to shower attention on the desired behaviors and ignore the unwanted behaviors. It may be that a child receives a sticker for using a “quiet” voice for resolving an argument, and their attempt at resolving an argument by yelling is completely ignored. In time, a child will grasp the concept that yelling won’t work to achieve the outcome that they want.

Kids Reward Chart: Alternative Steps To Take

This process works fantastically well with kids reward charts, and if it’s working well with your child, or if it fits well with your parenting philosophies…Great! Continue using this approach. However, for those parents who want to change things up a little, or who want to add a different “twist” to the reward chart concept, then this approach to using a kids chart might be worth considering.

• As with any reward chart, establish with your children, the target behaviors and aims of the chart.

• Set up a time limit that the kids reward chart will last, such as a day, a week etc.

• Establish different reward values for the number of stickers. For example a full kids chart of stickers would gain the maximum reward value, a half full chart would equate to
  a half reward, and obviously an empty reward chart would mean no reward given.

• Start the reward chart challenge by filling the kids reward chart with the reward stickers. When your child reneges on the reward chart agreement, then simply remove one of the stickers.

• Continue with this pattern for the duration of the reward chart time-limit, and then reward your child according to the number of stickers left on the chart. (Lots of stickers remaining…good, not many or no stickers remaining…not so good!)

• As an example, if we are considering a 10 sticker reward chart, then retaining all 10 stickers might earn a DVD night, and each sticker lost might earn a corresponding lesser reward. This ensures that it is still a positive experience for your child rather than a demoralizing one.

• If you choose to try out this alternative approach to using a kids reward chart, continue to take on the role of encouraging your child. A conversation might go something like this, “you’ve lost a sticker but I can see you’re trying hard. You’ve still got xx number of stickers, and we can try another chart tomorrow/next week.”

As you can see this approach relies not on the principle of earning stickers to achieve a desired reward, but rather on having the end reward in their grasp, and retaining or losing the reward based on how they choose to behave. In many ways this approach to using a reward chart is more based on the principles related to a child learning about “consequences”…Behave well, reap the rewards. Choose to behave badly, suffer the consequences. (This of course is a very simple illustration. In practice there are many dynamics involved in the lesson of “consequences”)

Using a reward chart in this way is better suited to an older child (early to mid school-aged) rather than a toddler. A toddler is less developmentally able to understand the underlying concepts.

It should also be remembered that using a kids reward chart in this manner should be achievable, motivational, and should still be a positive experience for your kids. Taking stickers away from children should never be about beating them down. Rather it should be about your child learning to control their behavior, choose appropriate behaviors, and stick to their agreements, all  within a positive parenting framework.

Note: Our Rewarding Kids Token Economy System uses these principles very effectively.

I get a lot of great feedback from parents who have put a reward chart into practice. Most of these parents have been using either my paid reward chart packages or my free reward charts, but many comments have also been from parents who have made and implemented their own charts (Well done!).

Positive feedback is always welcome and it’s fantastic to know that many parents are getting good results from using reward charts with their kids. However it would be remiss of me not to mention that I also receive my fair share of not so positive comments (which believe it or not, I also welcome).

Usually these comments are along the lines of:

“Johnny got bored with it”
“I got bored with it”
“Sara’s behavior wasn’t getting any better”
“I kept on forgetting to award the sticker”
“Freddy kept on asking for bigger and better rewards”
“Kate’s bad behavior is continuing”
……. and so on.

Mostly this feedback echoes the sentiment “The reward charts did not work so I stopped using them.”

These are the same issues that I faced when I started using reward charts. What I came to realize back then, and I still understand today, is that to properly implement a reward chart system (or any other positive parenting strategy) requires your absolute commitment upfront. There shouldn’t be any “I’ll try it and see if it works…” Kids will see through that and part of the magic (and potential) will be lost.

Part of this commitment is knowing how to best implement the reward chart to best suit your child. Some kids will feed off your excitement and your energy and they will be on-board from the get-go. Other kids might be a bit more skeptical and standoffish. It’s how you approach the reward chart implementation while keeping in mind the different personality types that can greatly improve the chances of reward chart success.

Some Considerations For the Success of a Reward Chart

• A reward chart is NOT a magic bullet solution to bad behavior.

• Reward charts just may not work with some kids…that’s OK…there’s plenty of other positive parenting strategies out there that will work for our children!

• Try to achieve the mindset that a reward chart isn’t a solution, rather a tool that can help in behavior change goals.

• Often us parents are the cause of an unsuccessful  reward chart…often we are just too half-hearted (lack of commitment) and our naturally perceptive kids pick up on that.

• Be open to the guidance that can be found in the reward chart rules and principles.

• And importantly, be persistent, but if the reward charts are just not working, try something else….there’s no real “DO THIS/DO THAT” set of rules when it comes to positive parenting.

In my eyes being a truly positive parent means creating a loving, healthy, safe, and positive environment, where kids get to see and feel the results of their good behavior and conversely get to see and feel the results of their bad behavior…Within this environment find what works for you and your child. If it’s using reward charts…Great! if it’s using some other techniques…Great also!

However, give it the best shot to make your reward chart work…be positive, committed, and let your kids see this. If you can change YOUR mindset (and sometimes this only needs to be a slight change) then you might find that reward charts will give you the fantastic result you were wishing for.

Rewarding kids can be a contentious issue. Some argue that handing out kids rewards for either performing tasks that should otherwise be expected, or to get your kids to do something, is tantamount to bribery or even encourages materialism. Others (including myself) strongly argue that offering rewards for kids to perform certain chores, to stop certain behaviors, or to encourage new and better behaviors, is an effective parenting tool (of course following established rules, and being appropriate with the kids rewards you offer).

The truth is that both sides of the argument has merit. It’s true that we need to regulate how we reward our children to prevent falling into the realm of “bribery”, as it is also true that offering kids rewards using a structured reward plan, is both effective and ethical.

For those parents who have those very legitimate concerns that rewarding kids can often equate to bribery, and also for those parents whose reward plans such as using reward charts, sometimes pushes into that grey area between bribery and rewarding kids, here are some guides to prevent bribery and prevent the issue of materialism:

Kids Rewards: Practices to Prevent Materialism

• Only hand over the agreed reward after the task has been completed, or the behavior has been followed.

• Choose and offer kids rewards that aren’t materialistic at heart. For example extra story or play time, or a trip to the beach etc.

• Consider using larger kids rewards or more generous rewards for those problems that you know will require a very big effort from your child. This may be a behavior or habit that is very hard to give up or very uncomfortable to carry out. For example thumb sucking, wearing glasses in class despite teasing, or forgoing time with their friends to go to out-of-school tutoring.

• Don’t forget that you should be considered a reward for your kids as well. Your time and attention can be an extremely powerful motivator and one that should never be underestimated, especially for younger children. Offer your time for games, activities, story telling, camping, fishing, picnicking, baking a cake, etc.

Being sensible about the kids rewards you offer, how you administer the reward process, and recognizing that a parents time and attention can be rewarding in and of itself, can help to avoid the slippery slope of materialism and bribery.

This is particularly true for those parents who are still skeptical about the process of handing over anything that could be considered a material reward. For those on this side of the argument, a reward plan will work just as well (some might suggest better) by offering only non-material rewards for kids. Always keep in mind that a well designed reward plan will be flexible enough to allow for all strategies for establishing kids rewards.

Using reward charts or other positive reinforcement tools, can be extremely effective. They allow for a child to be involved in the entire process of establishing a reward plan, and can include deciding what behavior goals to target, what will be the rewards on offer and how the reward chart will be designed and displayed. This is a powerful way to approach using a reward chart or other similar strategies (for example behavior contracts and using a token economy), because it gives your child a sense of ownership over the process….and this acts as a great motivator.

It must also be said that a reward chart also gives a child a perfect opportunity to really “see” their behavior from a different angle and how those behaviors relate to the goal of the reward chart. Simply, it gives them a chance to focus on their behavior.

Similarly reward charts give parents the opportunity to actively look for good, better or more appropriate behaviors and to acknowledge them appropriately. This is particularly important when we consider that these behaviors are usually more subtle and less obtrusive as compared with the brashness of bad behavior.

Reward Charts as a Cure-for-All??

So, reward charts are powerful?….Yes!

Reward charts are a creative approach to behavior change?….Yes!

Reward charts allow for children to self examine, actively appraise, and to moderate their behavior?..Yes!

Reward charts can inspire kids to “do better”, and for parents to “look for better”….Well, yes!

Reward charts can be the perfect conduit for any behavior change?…Well…No.

Let me explain…

Some types of behavior, or habits, or even when you are attempting to introduce more appropriate behaviors, are perfectly suited for using a reward chart. For example brushing teeth, feeding the dog every afternoon, packing away toys, being ready for school at a certain time each morning, are all illustrative of behavior that can easily be measured, accomplished and duly rewarded. Most of us would perhaps consider such goals as very achievable, especially with the added incentive of a reward chart.

However sometimes a certain behavior can be so ingrained and so deep-seated that whatever incentive a reward chart can offer is very quickly extinguished when a child keeps hitting those invisible “barriers”.  And sometimes children are sophisticated enough to have that deep-down recognition that they can’t change a behavior that has been with them for so long. Or even that they are being asked to do something that to them may seem so far away, so unattainable. And to make things even more difficult, these are usually things that a child will want to change.

Using a reward chart in these situations may require a bit more of a long-term approach. The reward chart can be used to progress a part way along the behavior change path. Using this approach a child has the opportunity to experience the positives of achieving a goal without the demoralizing set-back of failing to achieve an unrealistic behavior change goal.

For example a child who is habitually aggressive toward their siblings, might respond well to the goal of limiting their aggressive outbursts, rather than attempting to eradicate the behavior completely in one reward chart attempt. Using a series of reward charts over a period of weeks or months, with each designed to take a further step toward eliminating the aggressive behavior, might achieve a much greater and more permanent result.

Hopefully I have established that reward charts are a fantastically effective behavior modification tool, and they can be so much fun for both children and parents alike. They can be highly adaptive, and can be used in a multitude of different situations and environments, targeting a wide variety of behaviors and behavior change goals.

However in some situations, with some children, their effectiveness can be diminished according to the strength of the “barriers” to any positive behavior change. Sometimes these children can be coaxed along the path to changing particularly ingrained or contrary behavior, one small step, one small accomplishment at a time…which can be simply fantastic!

Remember, reward charts should NEVER be considered the panacea for all bad behavior, nor for all contrary behavior, or even for changing all unhealthy habits. They are a TOOL that parents can use, amongst an arsenal of tools that a parent should have at their disposal. And here I don’t just mean products, items, and behavior change tools, but also other positive parenting approaches such as modeling good behavior (observational learning), positive praise, positive discipline, love, caring and empathy.

Always keep in mind that sometimes a child will require professional help to empower them to break those ingrained, damaging, destructive, or inhibiting behaviors or habits. Recognizing these may require not only our own understanding and knowledge of our child, but also by getting input from their teachers, family doctors, baby-sitters, and other family members.

Many parents use reward charts as a fun way to keep their child’s behavior in check, and have done so over a period of time, while other parents start with a reward chart as a last resort when their child’s behavior has become intolerable.

However it is that you came to the decision to start using reward charts for your children, rest assured that it can be an effective behavior change tool when used fairly and diligently, and more than likely you come into the reward plan with some behavior change goals in mind.

Maybe you’re at your wits end with a child who refuses to eat, or another who has bedtime issues, or maybe you just want a parenting tool which can help you gently encourage your child toward more appropriate behaviors.

An important element of successfully using reward charts for children is to have behavior change goals set in place BEFORE the reward chart has started. The behavior change that you wish to target when using reward charts might be obvious in the case of a poor eater or a bedtime tyrant, but outside of a few common behavior issues such as these, many of us might be challenged to find a significant number of behavior change goals that can be targeting with a reward chart.

Sometimes you can find inspiration by watching your own child’s bad behavior, or good behavior you wish to encourage, or even by observing the interaction between your child and others, or by recognizing traits in others that you would like your child to follow.

Examples of Behavior Change Goals When Using Reward Charts:

• using manners
• going to bed without hassles at bedtime
• using tissues rather than your sleeve
• sharing with friends
• brushing teeth
• eating all your dinner
• allowing others to go first
• getting dressed quickly
• picking up toys and clothes
• reduce whining
• no more thumb sucking or nail biting
• no arguments at bath-time
• controlling tantrums
• not interrupting when others are speaking
• completing homework on time
• completing chores
• no more fighting with brothers or sisters
• showing kindness to others
• getting ready for school on time
• helping when not asked
• respecting the property of others
• ……….

Of course this list of behavior goals could just about be infinite, and you’ll notice that it includes not only behaviors that you want to get rid of, but also those positive behaviors you want to encourage. The list of behaviors that you come up with for use with your reward charts will be specific to your child, but might include many of the examples given above.

Also if you think back to the reward chart rules, you’ll remember that it’s best to only target one or two behavior change goals at a time, otherwise you run the risk of overwhelming your child and lessening the chances of success with the reward charts.

Using reward charts to encourage behavior change in our children can be a highly effective behavior change tool, but what happens when the reward charts lose their power, or they stop working? Or what if the the reward charts never really started working for your child in the first place? What course of action should be taken when this happens?

Firstly lets look at some of the reason why the reward charts might not be working or why they might be loosing their effectiveness.

Why the Reward Charts Might Not be Working

• Your child might simply be too young to start with such a reward plan: Using a reward chart requires your child to have a handle on a few fundamentals such as patience, the difference between “now” and “later”, self control, and delaying their gratification. When these things are lacking the effectiveness of the reward chart will be limited.

• The reward isn’t enticing enough: The kick-start to the reward chart is the motivation your child has in wanting to complete the behavior chart. Of course the main aim of a reward chart is to tap into your child’s “inner motivation”, but that’s a developing process. To effectively start and maintain a reward plan your child needs to desire the reward.

• The behavior is too hard for your child to change at the moment: Sometimes your behavior change expectations are too high. Your child might be too young, they might be affected by other things happening in their life (starting school, new baby in the house, divorce etc), or other tensions in the house which may be preventing the reward chart working to it’s full effect. Dealing with these underlying feeling first will help the reward plan. Sometimes setting the bar a little lower might also be considered.

• Not everyone is consistent with the reward plan: Could it be that other adults and care-givers in your child’s life aren’t completely on the same page when it come to administering the rewards chart? If you’re being consistent with your expectations, praise, and rewarding but some other significant adult isn’t, then the full effect of using reward charts will not be realized.

• You’re trying to stop or change behaviors that others are performing: It’s unlikely that you child will stick with the reward plan for very long if others are doing what they’re meant to stop. For example are they expected to stop hitting if their older sibling hits, or do they stop using inappropriate language if Dad let’s a few expletives slip around them?

• Your child is attached to your response to their bad behavior: This can be a tough concept to grasp, but often a child becomes attached to negative attention. It can easily become their “pay-off”. It stems from the concept that any attention given from a parent is an extremely powerful motivator.

• Your child’s personality might be a factor: Some kids hate the feeling of being “controlled”, and might consider a reward plan an attempt to control them. It’s true that using reward charts are in some ways an attempt of controlling our kids – for example “if you stop doing that then I’ll give you this”. The trick is to enhance your child’s Independence throughout the whole process. Put the control firmly back in their hands, then it becomes “their” decision to stick with the reward plan and reap the benefits.

Our next article will deal with ways of troubleshooting the reward charts when they don’t appear to be working and providing some example of how to get them back on track.

Reward plans are great. Used with respect and consistency, a good reward plan can be highly effective in targeting and eliminating problem behaviors. A reward plan can include reward charts, token economy, behavior contracts, rewards, stickers, certificates, tokens, tickets, and so on… As long as it is a structured and observable, you can really use your imagination.

Although we sell great reward chart packages and a fantastic reward coins token economy on this website, with a good imagination, and the material and effort to make it, almost anyone can put together a good reward plan.

Here are some steps that are useful to follow:

1. Work Out What Behavior Problem To Tackle

• You may want to work on changing many behavioral problems but the best chance of success lies in your choosing one or two at a time.

• It’s important not to overwhelm your child, and it’s always helpful if your child recognizes the troublesome behavior.

• Be specific with the behaviors you want to target. a “tidy room” may mean different things to you and your child. “toys off the floor, bed made, tidy desk, and clothes in the hamper” are specific and clear targets for both parties.

• Make the reward plan easily achievable to start with. For example keeping a tidy room may start with rewarding the act of putting shoes away, or straitening bed covers. This gives your child a taste of success, builds their confidence in the reward plan, and makes success more likely. Also remember that while delayed gratification is an important lesson to learn, this ability takes time for children to develop, particularly with younger children – in other words don’t make it too long before they reach their goal.

2. Select a Reward Plan (Reward Charts or Tokens) and the Reward On Offer

• Pick a reward chart theme that matches your child’s personality and interests (this will help with their motivation). Most times children appreciate being a part of this process. Also the number of sticker spots on a reward chart might relate to your child’s age or stage of development (for example our reward charts come in 10 or 20 sticker spot versions).

• Many children (especially older children) will respond better to token or tickets (more on token economy system here).
• Choose rewards that will interest and motivate your children. It can be very useful to involve your children during this process, or even to provide a list of rewards on offer for your child to choose from (what rewards to offer), however it’s important to keep control here. Don’t give in to outlandish requests, or offer rewards in moments of desperation.

3. Introduce The Reward Plan With Your Children

• While it’s fair to say that generally young kids accept a reward plan easily, often older kids can be a bit more difficult (..maybe I should use the world “worldly” here ) In these cases involve your children in the process. Give them the chance to negotiate (if appropriate), and let them know that it’s a joint effort, it’s not just you in control of this ship.

4. Follow Through With the Reward Plan

• Be consistent and stick with the spirit of the reward plan. If your child agreed to brush their teeth every night before bed, then hold them to it. If they refuse, offer them your sympathies that they won’t be earning a sticker or token, and remind them they will have another chance to earn the sticker tomorrow night. Often their refusal will be their way of “testing” the integrity of the reward plan, and to check how serious you’re taking it. If that’s the message they’re getting, then they will move forward.
• Even when you’re feeling particularly worn out and tired, and your children are especially grumpy, try to stick with the plan.
• If you’re being worn down or your child is loosing motivation, try not to just stop the reward plan halfway through. Use the “hump” as an opportunity to sit down with your child and talk with them. Maybe there’s other issues holding them back. Being honest and upfront can be a great way to connect with your child, reconnect with the reward plan, to re-establish the goals, and to get back to it.
• Always keep in mind that a reward plan should be a positive experience. Avoid fighting with your children over the plan, don’t belittle or efforts, or tell them off for failing to earn a sticker or token. As hard as it might be try and keep your frustrations away from the reward plan. Finding other avenues to vent can be useful (I hear boxercise can be fantastic for this )

5. Ending the Reward Plan

• Recognizing their effort in completing the reward plan is fitting, and often all that is required. A “well done!”, “I’m proud of you!”, or “good for you!” comment can really go a long way. As a part of our reward charts package we offer a number of “I did it!” certificates that your child can collect, put on the wall or in a scrapbook, and reflect on their efforts. Or making your own certificates is easy and can really “round out” the reward plan.
• You should also be delivering the earned reward as promptly as possible – your child has earned it.
• Avoid using the earned reward as leverage for future confrontations (for different behaviors). For example if your child has earned a sleepover, game, or extra playtime before bed, then it would be against the spirit of the reward plan to take away that item or reward (as long as they are keeping the targeted behavior in check). If there are more behavior problems to deal with, then start the process again. If their earned reward stays intact, then they will be even more trusting of the process next time around.

A few years ago when I was searching around for quality free printable reward charts, I found it so difficult to find a well designed, comprehensive free reward chart. Not to mention one that would motivate my child. In my disillusionment, I ended up designing and manufacturing my own reward chart products (you can find these reward chart packages here).

However, as a token of our appreciation for your visit to our website, we’d like to offer you a selection of free printable reward chart downloads.

I know at the time, I would’ve appreciated a quality free reward chart, such as the selection below.

To receive your free reward chart downloads simply fill in the form below and you’ll have access to your first download immediately (well at least as soon as you’ve confirmed our email to you )

These reward charts charts will load as a PDF file, so you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the charts. If you don’t have Adobe Reader you can get it for free by clicking this Adobe link.

How to download a free reward chart

When you receive your email containing the download link, simply click on either the image or the text link contained in the email, which will open the PDF file, then click “Save a Copy” and choose where you want to save it to. From there you can open and print it as often as you like. It’s yours!

Our free reward charts are quite elaborate and as such may take a while to download (depending on your Internet connection). Please be patient.

*** Handy Hint ***

Once you have received and printed your reward chart, you can make it reusable by getting it laminated. When your kids earn the sticker spot, get them to color it in using whiteboard markers. When the reward chart is completed you can wipe it off and start again!

Choosing rewards for kids is as important as choosing the behaviors and goals for the reward chart. Involve your child in this process as much as you can, with the understanding that if your child doesn’t like the incentive or reward, then there will be little motivation. Also consider that the more your child is involved in the planning process leading up to the use of the reward chart, then the more “ownership” they will feel, which will give them a greater desire to see it through.

With younger ones you might consider offering them a list of rewards for kids to choose from. Using material rewards is fine, but understand that the use of non-material rewards is just as important, and in fact can be much more of a powerful motivation for our kids. For example an activity with parents can be particularly rewarding for kids (any time spent with parents is much more important to children than we might acknowledge).

The following list of rewards for kids are suggestions only, and is limited only by your imagination. Generally material rewards should be kept small and inexpensive, but there may be times when a child is overcoming such a large hurdle that it may be appropriate to offer larger, more expensive items. Whichever rewards are chosen to use for our kids however, never underestimate how important your time is for your children.

Smaller rewards for kids may be:

• Crayons, paper, pencils, coloring-in books.

• Bag of marbles.

• Small toy such as plastic animals, cars etc.

• Hire a DVD of your child’s choice.

• Special treat in lunchbox.

• Choosing breakfast, dessert etc.

• Special snack after school.

• Visit to the 2 dollar shop.

Special treats at home as rewards:

• Using the telephone.

• Playing dress ups.

• Having a sleepover with a friend.

• Choosing a TV program.

• Making play-dough.

• Making a cake with mum or dad.

• Planting a pot plant.

Special treats outside home:

• Staying with friends or family.

• Trip to the park.

• Picnic.

• Going to the movies.

• Riding bike.

• Visit the zoo.

• Go swimming.

• Visit the duckpond.

• Going to the beach.

Special rewards for kids involving parents:

• Making biscuits or a cake.

• Extra bedtime story.

• Doing puzzle/craft activities.

• Extra playtime with mum or dad.

• Watching favorite TV program with mum or dad.

Another creative way of using the reward system or reward plan is to have a lucky-dip consisting of many activities written on small separate pieces of paper which your child randomly picks, or one of many small items, such as small toys, pencils, bouncing balls, marbles, toy soldiers, hair clips, bubbles etc. A lucky-dip is always a sure-fire way to excite kids.

Whatever we offer as rewards for kids it is important that they motivate our kids, engage them, appropriately reflects their efforts, and are deliverable.