Implementing Reward Charts
Let’s talk about rewards! Using rewards has been a controversial topic in the parenting world, so I thought this might be a good time for a little reminder - If you are not interested in using rewards, you DO NOT need to use them! And, if you do use rewards (or plan to use them), it’s always helpful to know how you can use them in the most effective way possible. Even if using rewards is not your thing, understanding how reward systems work, can give you an understanding that may help in other aspects of parenting!
What is a Reward Chart
A reward chart is a tool that can be used as part of a reward system to change a child’s behavior. Reward charts will have some type of visual component. Basically, reward charts are built around rewarding behavior so that the behavior happens more often. Reward charts can be helpful tools to use when potty training or working on sleep with toddlers, preschoolers, and young children.
Do Rewards Work?
To get a concept of reward charts and reward systems, a good place to start is understanding why rewards work! To do so, let’s discuss “reinforcement.”
By definition, reinforcement is: the process in which the occurrence of a behavior is followed by a consequence that results in an increase in the future probability of the behavior (Miltenberger, 2017).
Example of how rewards work
Let’s break this down using the example of a toddler getting in bed at the end of the bedtime routine without any crying - the behavior.
Now for the consequence - keep in mind that a consequence refers to anything that happens as a result of the behavior, which can be a positive consequence! (Like go to work>get paid or take medicine>feel better.)
In this example, let’s say the consequence is that the child gets an extra bedtime story if they successfully do the behavior. If the extra bedtime story is rewarding - or reinforcing - to the child, then the child is MORE LIKELY to do “the behavior” during future bedtimes. Back to our definition of reinforcement: the behavior was followed by a consequence that increased the future likelihood of the behavior.
Here is another quick example using potty training: Child pees in the potty (behavior). Child is given a sticker (consequence). Child is more likely to pee in the potty in the future (the consequence was an effective reinforcer for the behavior).
Is the reward working?
A key point here is that the consequence has to be reinforcing - or rewarding - to the child for the reward to be effective! Sometimes parents may use a reward system and they feel like the reward system isn’t working even though they are using “rewards” that their child really likes. Sometimes, things we like might not be an effective reward. Seems odd but think of this: You really like chocolate. During a conversation with your friend, they mention that they have a box of chocolates they don’t want and they offer it to you but you would have to drive to their house 20 minutes away to pick up the box of chocolate. That drive just doesn’t seem worth it to you even though you really like chocolate. Now think of your child. You have this reward you’ll give them if they follow their bedtime routine, but maybe the reward just isn’t “worth it” to them to follow their bedtime routine. In that scenario, your reward may not work. Or, it may work some days and not others.
All this to say: Your child has to be motivated for the reward for a reward to work!!
Maybe if there was a chocolate shortage - hey, it could happen - you might be more motivated to drive 20 minutes to get the chocolate. Maybe if the reward for your child is something they don’t get any other time, they may be more motivated to earn it.
How to Use Reward Charts
Implementing a reward chart can be fairly simple, and it is helpful for your child to keep it simple!
The main components of a reward system:
Decide what behavior you want to work on! Ideally you are increasing a behavior, which typically means you are also trying to decrease a different behavior. Examples: Increasing going pee and poop in the potty (decreases accidents). Increase getting in bed right at the end of the bedtime routine (decrease bedtime shenanigans).
Prepare the reward chart/system. Using a visual for a reward chart can be incredibly helpful for children. (And it helps you keep track, too!) It really wouldn’t be a reward chart without the visual component. You can definitely implement a reward system without a visual or reward chart, but the chart itself can be very useful if you’re planning to have small rewards (e.g., stickers or stars on a chart) to “trade in” for a bigger reward (e.g., new toy or special activity). You can also have a system that does not use a chart but some other tracking system. This can be something like a small jar that gets filled with marbles for going poop in the potty. Once the jar is filled, the child earns a special prize.
There are lots of different reward charts that can be purchased (like Little Hippo’s “Ready for Bed Kit” - use the code HEAVENSENTSLEEP for 15% off). If you’re more of a DIY person, you can make a reward chart really easily by just printing or drawing a simple visual (and laminate it if you’re feeling fancy and want it to last a little bit), find a free printable reward chart with an online search, use a dry erase board, or set up another type of visual like the marbles in a jar example.
Use a reward your child is motivated for. Ask them what they want to earn! Sometimes a treasure or prize box is a good way to keep the motivation going since they will have different options to choose from.
Set clear expectations. Make sure your child knows exactly what they need to do to earn the reward. AND, make sure the expectations are reasonable and realistic for your little one. Go over the reward system with them at a time that they are attentive and interested. Have fun with it to help them get excited! You can go over the reward chart as often as needed, even if that’s daily or multiple times each day. Keep it positive!
Follow through with the expectations. Keep up your end of the plan. Don’t change things at the last minute. If your child meets the expectations, they earn the reward!
Some more reward chart tips:
Start small. If you plan to use a reward chart where your child has to do multiple behaviors to earn the reward, it can be helpful to build up to that.
Here’s an example: Your child is going to earn a star on their reward chart for every part of the bedtime routine that they complete. When they have all of their stars for the evening routine, they get to pick out a special stuffed animal to sleep with. It can be helpful to start out with just earning ONE star for ONE part of the bedtime routine to earn the special stuffed animal reward. Then, gradually add in more parts of the routine for more stars as your child is successful!
Give reminders. You can remind your child throughout relevant parts of the day, such as during the bedtime routine if you’re using a reward chart for bedtime behaviors. Present it as a positive - “Remember, if you get in bed after you brush your teeth, you’ll get a star on your star chart!”
Have a plan to fade the reward system. The goal of a reward system is not to use the reward system forever but to teach your child to do something (or do more of something) until it will happen without a reward. To fade out the reward, you can continue making it “harder” to earn the reward or you can make it where more stars are needed to trade in for the bigger reward. Sometimes a reward system will fade out naturally as the child starts doing whatever the behavior was without expecting a reward. But, it is always good to have a fading plan in case that doesn’t happen.
Using rewards can be a great tool to use with some toddlers for potty training and with sleep situations. If you think your child may benefit from a reward chart and you’d like some guidance, schedule a sleep consult call or potty consult call with me to discuss support options!
