Rewards

So often we focus on the negative and we forget to identify or address the positive things. It is so important for children to see the positive and we can easily show them that with rewards. Rewards can simultaneously do two things, first it can help focus on the positive and second it can encourage behaviors you want to see more of in your child.

The main thing to remember is to follow through and be consistent. If you implement a rewards system but only implement it half of the time, it won't work. You need to commit 100% from the start. Identify what you want to use to track the rewards (i.e. a sticker chart or an app like S'mores Up). Then have a family meeting, maybe during dinner, when you introduce it to the children. The children should help as much as possible from this point on.

You will need to identify what rewards they can buy (i.e. one on one time with a chosen adult or get out of a chore free), how much each thing costs (i.e. 1 point, 5 points, 10 points, or $1.00, $5.00, $10.00) and what they can do to earn the points or money to buy what they would like (i.e. an extra chore from the chore jar or following a hard direction). Have a menu or some way for the children to see what they can buy and what prices they are at all times.

The best thing you can do is have fun with this. The more you get into it, the more the children will too.

For more support or specifics, feel free to contact us to see how we can help.