Create a reward chart for your toddler with these tips

Who doesn’t like being rewarded for good deeds and exceptional behaviour? Reward charts can be utilised in a number of different ways – from implementing toilet training to enforcing behavioural conditioning and motivating your toddler to pick up after himself after playtime.

Here are seven tips to consider when putting together a reward chart for your toddler…

Communicate

Communicate with your tot about what he or she would want as a reward for good behaviour – after all, what’s the point of a reward system if the reward isn’t rewarding enough, make sense?

The age of your toddler will determine the complexity of the reward

For instance, a younger toddler might only need a lollipop to celebrate their good deed whereas an older toddler might require a bigger benefit like a trip to the zoo or a toy.

Rewards don’t always have to be monetary

Something as simple as a day out, extra TV time or a extended playtime will be reward enough.

Keep track of stickers

Don’t merely add and remove reward stickers from charts whenever you feel the need to – make sure your tot understands why he’s getting or losing a sticker.

Combine the reward system

If you have more than one young child and you’re afraid of isolating one of them, consider a combined reward system where the entire kiddie clan’s behaviour affects the outcome of the reward – that way, no one gets left out.

Don’t try and move mountains

Rather tackle one habit at a time, whether it be the bedroom tidiness, manners, cleanliness or whichever type of behaviour it is that you want to implement or change.

Ideas for creative reward systems include; adding marbles to labelled jars, sticking stars on each child’s hand print or simply making a “tick” next to their name.

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