Creating a sticker chart for kids can be a fun and effective way to encourage positive behavior and motivate them while introducing responsibility. In the household I work in, we are coming up on a year of successful sticker chart use. Here's your ultimate guide on how to create a sticker chart that actually works - and how to implement it successfully.:
Step 1: Determine their Goals
Define the behavior or habits you want to encourage or track through the sticker chart. Be specific about what behaviors will earn a sticker. It's a good idea to include a mix of goals that the child is striving to achieve and new skills you want them to develop. For example, the youngest of my crew just finished up the first stages of potty training, so we chose "using the potty" as a sticker section to reinforce the potty training. I'm also teaching them Spanish, so "Spanish Skills" is another sticker section for each of them. My biggest recommendation in this initial step is to include the children in deciding which skills to include on the chart. Rather than me telling them what to do, they were able to make responsible choices in what development skills and behaviors they wanted to improve or implement.
Step 2: Design the Chart
Create a visual and clear chart that is easy for kids to understand. Include spaces for the skills sections and stickers. But read closely because this is where my system deviates from the typical. Because all three of the children I care for are at different stages developmentally, I had three separate charts individualized, and I let them help design their charts. The oldest boy was able to write down his name at the top of the page, all of his skills sections, and the lines to divide the sections. While the younger two needed help, I let them hold the marker, while I guided their hand. They also picked out the color of their charts. By giving them as much say in the creation process as possible, this increases the level of "buy-in" on their end. This creates a sense of ownership and independence.
Another big recommendation I have is to let the children pick out their stickers. Once we finished decorating our sticker charts, I put them in plastic sleeves so that the stickers would be easy to remove, and went to the Lakeshore Learning Store. They had so many options to choose from at such a reasonable price; they were so excited to use their own stickers that they picked out!
Step 3: Choose the Rewards
Decide on the rewards that kids can earn through the sticker chart. Make sure the rewards are exciting and appropriate for the desired behavior. This is another step where you can include the kids in the creation process. Ask the kids what they consider to be special treats or privileges. Besides, who knows what they want better than them? I gave them my ideas as well, but they picked out what rewards they wanted and how many stickers each reward would cost. We made a separate "Sticker Store" with each privilege labeled and clearly marked as to how many stickers they would need to earn, and then use. Because we have so many options, this also doubles up on learning to save and spend - a skill that I am looking forward to seeing them implement when they begin earning money.
One of my favorite rewards is the "special date" reward, costing 20 stickers. If they choose to use stickers for this reward, they get to pick which adult they want to go somewhere with and where that somewhere will be. So maybe they want to go on a special lunch date with mom, or a special dinner date with dad, or even go get ice cream with their grandma. This has been one of the rewards they have been most excited about because they get to go one-on-one with the person of their choosing.
Step 4: Implement Consistently
One of the most common ways that parents and caregivers lose the sticker chart tool is lack of consistency. Consistency is the ultimate key to the success of a sticker chart. Once the excitement of creating the charts and talking about the rewards fades, it can be challenging to remember. But the sticker chart is a powerful tool when used properly. Be diligent in awarding stickers and tracking progress. Celebrate small victories along the way. Something to help with consistency is by adding a "bonus" section at the bottom for any positive habit that you notice that may not fall under the other categories but deserves recognition. Ever since I incorporated that section, the kids go out of their way to do other great things and ask if it can earn them a sticker! This gives you the opportunity to reward them on a daily basis, even for small things.
Step 5: Monitor, Adjust, and Celebrate
Regularly monitor the effectiveness of the sticker chart. Adjust the goals, rewards, or chart design as needed to keep kids engaged and motivated. In my experience, once a child accomplishes a large milestone, it is about time to start a new sticker chart. For instance, at the beginning of the school year, the successful completion of potty training, the start of summer vacation, the list goes on. Once a child masters a sticker section, they are no longer challenged, and it's time to make a new sticker chart. Praise the accomplishment and encourage them by letting them pick out new stickers to use, or maybe changing up some of the rewards. And don't forget to celebrate them as well; it is a big deal to master these skills!
Step 6: Maintain Positivity
Our sticker charts should be fun and a space for positivity and accomplishment. Stickers are rewards for good behavior, rightfully earned. Please, do not make the mistake of using the sticker chart for punishments like taking stickers away for bad behavior or threatening to do so. This brings a negative aspect to the sticker chart and it will not spark as much joy. Furthermore, it diminishes their feeling of pride in their hard work. Taking away stickers tells them that their hard work doesn't mean as much as they think it does. I am all for implementing consequences when there is bad behavior, but let's make the consequence make sense. In their head, they will not understand why fighting with their sibling in the car means the sticker they earned for brushing their own teeth has to go away. And to be fair, I wouldn't understand that either! It's important that the sticker chart stays in a positive light so the children are always enthusiastic about it.
Implementing a sticker chart successfully requires patience, consistency, and a positive attitude. By following these steps, you can add an effective behavior reinforcement tool that motivates kids in a fun and rewarding way. Soon enough, your littles will be rushing to put their pajamas on or eating their vegetables, rather than landing in a power struggle with a toddler.
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