Need Ideas for Star/Reward Chart

Updated on February 27, 2011
M.P. asks from Federal Way, WA
11 answers

Hi Mamas! I'm wanting to start a reward/star chart type of system with my 3 1/2 year old and not sure where to get ideas to get going. I'm wondering if any of you have ideas/websites/links that have worked for your child. Thanks in advance!!

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T.G.

answers from San Francisco on

M.,

This worked great for my son! Get an old jar and some poker chips, pennies, rocks, or whatever you want to use. Put it somewhere that he can see it. Every time my son did something good, he got 3-5 poker chips (or more). When he did something not so good, he got some taken away. I bought little prizes - cars, legos, puzzles, dvd's, tv time,, etc and taped a big number on the package. For example, "25" on his dvd's, "15" for 30 minutes of tv time and "8" on the cars. I put them up on the fireplace mantle where he couldn't reach them but he could see them. He had to earn enough chips to "purchase his rewards." He really got into it and would go out of his way to have good behavior. He is 5 now and no longer needs this but it was great from 3-4 years old.
Good luck!

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B.R.

answers from Sacramento on

This would depend on exactly what you are trying to teach the child with the chart. What I used for potty training two young boys, and again for helping kindergartners remember what to do first when coming in from school
( changing from school uniform to regular clothing, putting the uniforms away, getting out homework and doing it.... etc. ) was a chart titled "I Remembered!" They responded well to that title because it was positive. I listed each item they needed to do for the job, added an icon to illustrate, and make it colorful. Then I laminated the pages and attached them to a wall just outside the bathroom door. I kept a dry erase marker handy for them to use to mark each item off as they did it. (Of course, I had to stay nearby to 'help' the boys remember not to mark all over my walls, but to just mark on the chart).
The only reward I used for this was the excitement/praise for them doing the job, and the fact that they loved being able to use that 'big people' marker to mark the chart.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

The first chart we used had 5 behaviors we wanted to work on, and each time he did one right he got a star. After 10 stars he got to pick a toy from a collection of cheap yard sale items I had acquired. All of the activities were positives (I took a deep breath when i got mad vs. I didn't hit or throw something when I got mad), so he saw immediate results for the right behavior.

Later, I gave myself more adaptability on a chart that he could earn a star for anything I said at the moment was good 'If you can get dressed in 5 minutes, you can get a star'. He still needed to see immediate results for his 'good behavior' so I stocked up on gold stars and gold coins. When he earned 5 gold stars, he got a gold coin, 5 gold coins got a prize.

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J.C.

answers from San Francisco on

What are you using the chart for? Potty training? Behavior? I use a behavior chart in my kindergarten classroom. For each part of the day, the child gets a smiley face sticker (or any sticker) for good behavior. At the end of the day, the child will get a reward depending on how many stickers they have. The reward is not something you have to go buy. Keep it simple--extra play time, a special dessert, an extra cartoon, or whatever your child LOVES to do. Decide with your child what the special thing will be.

In my class, there are 7 parts to the day, so the child is able to receive up to 7 stickers. If he gets 7 stickers, then he gets the best possible prize (in this particiular case, it's to play the Wii when he gets home). 6 stickers = ice cream, 5 = board game, 4 = play outside. If the child gets less than 4 stickers, then he doesn't get a reward.

Because your child is only 3, you may want to simplify it a little--maybe less parts to the day and only 2 rewards to choose from.

I hope this helps! :)

I forgot to add...this is usually a temporary chart until the behavior stops or slows. :)

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K.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I did this w/both of my kiddos. I took a piece of plain paper and you can even use construction paper, a ruler and made some lines. I put the days of the week on the chart and the small boxes after the days of the week that I could put stickers in. We went to the store and bought the type of character stickers that they liked. Every time they did something good (I used mine mainly for the potty), they got a sticker. When they didn't go, they didn't get a sticker. Once they had so many stickers or an entire row was filled up, we did a special activity or they got something special (coloring book, small toy-mainly dollar store stuff). Worked well and they received positive encouragement and a colorful chart in their room to look at their accomplishments! All The Best, K.

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A.S.

answers from Modesto on

Look to the House Fairy. Google her. She's amazing.

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L.C.

answers from San Francisco on

We would apply olive oil, let soak in for about 15 minutes then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush

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A.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Great idea, if it works, keep in mind we're not all motivated by recognitions and awards/prizes, sometimes just hearing 'good job' is enough. Be sure to feel him out and that will work for him, also think about if he is going to expect something everytime he does what is expected of him.

Ideas for rewards, pick his own movie, staying up a little later, pick a prize from your prize box (notepads/pens/crayons etc) Try to avoid rewarding with food, cause that just wires us that food=feel good once we're older..Guilty! lol

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L.D.

answers from Augusta on

Thanks for asking this question. I have a 3 1/2 year old as well and we are wanting to start a reward chart for him. Hope it works for you.

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