What\u2019s the best part of a visit to the pediatrician?\u00a0The stickers, of course! We use them to make our office feel more fun and less scary – and often, to help our little patients be brave. Sometimes, when a child is refusing to take medicine, I even send them home with an envelope of stickers so they can get one for every dose they take.<\/p>\n
Stickers are magical for motivating kids! You can also use stickers to create reward charts at home to help your kids learn new behaviors. With a sticker chart, your child gets a sticker each day for completing the task you\u2019ve chosen \u2013 such as getting dressed on time or staying in their bed at night \u2013 and then a small reward after they\u2019ve earned a certain number of stickers.<\/p>\n
Some worry that reward charts focus too much on external rewards and won\u2019t help kids develop internal motivation. While this concern is understandable, when used thoughtfully, sticker charts can foster internal motivation, too. A sticker chart is most effective at encouraging small behavior changes over a short period.<\/p>\n
Engage your child in every step of creating the chart. Start by having a calm conversation about the behavior you’re working on\u2014separate from when it happens.<\/p>\n
For example, if bedtime is a struggle, in the morning or afternoon you might say: “I’ve noticed that bedtime has been tough lately, and you get upset when I ask you to put on your pajamas.” Then, discuss why this behavior needs to change and what benefits it might bring.<\/p>\n
Ask questions like: “What would make bedtime easier for you?” or suggest a positive outcome: “If we don’t waste time fussing, we’ll have more time to read books together.”<\/p>\n
When kids understand why you’re asking them to change a behavior and what’s in it for them, they’ll be more motivated to follow through. Plus, conversations like this may help you understand why your child is acting the way they do. Sometimes that understanding can help you find solutions that help them behave better.<\/p>\n
Kids are great negotiators, so it’s essential to clearly define how to earn a sticker from the start. Without a clear plan, they may try to tweak the rules to their advantage along the way!<\/p>\n
When setting up the sticker chart<\/a>, make sure your child knows exactly what you want them to do. Be very specific. The behavior should be simple, achievable in a few steps, and easy to observe.<\/p>\n Instead of saying, “If you\u2019re good at bedtime, you’ll get a sticker,” try, “Each night, when I say it’s bedtime, and you put on your pajamas right away without reminders, you get a sticker!” This way the criteria for success is clear and easy to follow.<\/p>\n As your child masters the first task, you can gradually add more layers. For example, the next version of the chart might include brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, and getting into bed without reminders.<\/p>\n By being specific, you set your child up for success and make the process smoother for everyone.<\/p>\n Now for the fun part\u2014creating the chart! Kids love stickers, and parents appreciate having a clear way to track progress. Work together to design a chart that is exciting for your child.<\/p>\n You can print a ready-made chart, but it’s even more engaging if you personalize it. Try drawing a picture of the reward or something your child loves. For example, my son was really into airplanes, so we drew one and used the windows as sticker spots. If your child enjoys coloring, you can skip the stickers and let them color in each space as they complete the behavior.<\/p>\n While watching their sticker chart fill up is exciting, many kids stay even more motivated when there’s a small prize at the end. The reward doesn’t have to be a toy or treat\u2014it can be one-on-one time with you.<\/p>\n Here are some fun ideas:<\/p>\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Make the chart together<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Choose the reward<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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