How To… use visual reward systems for dealing with bad behaviour

If you are struggling to get your child to behave with threats, warnings and time out, try focusing harder on positive behaviour. Give your child a visual system so they can monitor their own progress.

Reward Charts
These work for some children but not for others. Try not to fill up a reward chart with too many different things. Perhaps have the reward chart for the one biggest problem – such as not running off when coming out of school. Let the child put their own stars on. Try not to be too obsessive about it going in the right place.

Visual Time Table
These are really useful for children who need to have clear structure to the day. A quarter of A4 is big enough for each card. White card with a thick black marker and simple clear images illustrating each activity works well. Change your visual time table each morning and talk the child through what is going to happen throughout the day. Attach to wall with Velcro or Blu Tack.

Voucher Cards
If stars on the wall aren’t working, keep a stash of homemade vouchers featuring treats that the child can cash in. This can be simple things such as an extra bedtime story, making cakes or going to the park.

Marbles in a Jam Jar
Each time your child behaves as needed or is simply super-good, add a marble into a jam jar. The jar can be cashed in for an agreed treat. Seeing the jar fill up can really inspire some children.

Bribery as a Distraction
Distraction is a good tactic for an oncoming melt down, but you can’t reward the potential bad behaviour with a treat. Keep a secret treat bag of pocket money toys or chocolate buttons and when the tantrum in imminent, distract them with a reward for some earlier good behaviour and move into distraction with a DVD or toy.