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| Behaviour charts |
| What, why and how? |
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This article was written by Victoria Gibbs a psychologist with Carers Connection.
Now, this is something I've been meaning to implement in my home with my 3-year-old. As do most 3-year-olds, he tends to do a lot of whinging and a lot of arguing. We would like to see him do as he is asked, without the whinging and arguing (yes please).
A simple and effective way to encourage the behaviour you want, and discourage the behaviour you don't want, is set up a behaviour chart.
These work best for children ages 3-8 years, and provide many benefits, including encouraging desired behaviour, discouraging unwanted behaviour, and allowing your child to practice new skills, which gives them a sense of mastery and accomplishment.
So here's the break down around behaviour charts:
What?
Behaviour charts are a simple table chart using stickers/stamps/stars as a reward for desired behaviour, eventually culminating to a final reward (i.e. a certain number of stickers results in a pre-determined reward that your child finds meaningful/motivating).
Why?
Behaviour charts are an effective tool to encourage desired behaviour change in your child, providing your child with a sense of pride and mastery, and the parent a sense of progress.
How?
The Raising Children Network offer a great set of easy instructions on how to set up a behaviour chart for your child, give the instructions a read here.
And for some really cute themed behaviour chart samples, simply Google image search 'Behaviour charts for kids'. You'll find everything from Spiderman charts, to princess charts, and everything in between.
Your child needs to find the chart interesting and the rewards meaningful and motivating for the behaviour chart to be most effective. Make sure you involve your child in the development and implementation of the chart i.e. let them choose the stickers you'll use, let them put a sticker on the chart when they have engaged in the desired behaviour, keep the chart at their eye level and in a common area of the house.
I'm as guilty as the next parent when it comes to knowing behaviour charts are a good idea, and then actually taking the time to print one off and get it working with my toddler. But after writing this, I'm so much more motivated, because I'm ready to see some change!
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