I've always been a reward based person. Do a sink full of dishes — get a cookie. Many of us operate this way and so do our kids. It's easy to see how the things we do cause us to get something awesome. It might not always be a cookie, but it could be a star on this super cool, free superhero chart! There's one for boys or girls and you get to write in what they need to work on. Manners? Potty training? It's up to you.
Maddie of Li'l Magoolie tipped us off to this great printable chart she and Mari of Small for Big collaborated on. There are both girl and boy superhero versions and it's perfect for laminating to use with dry erase markers.
You could use it as a chore chart, to keep track of "please" and "thank yous" or to help them remember to do their homework. You can download your own onLi'l Magoolie.
(Image: Li'l Magoolie)
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Hmmm. I think the whole reward chart phenomenon is seriously mistaken. (Though not as mistaken as the word "Poo." Yech.) Not to mention condescending. Imagine if your partner gave you a sticker/gold star/reward every time you _______________.
See what I mean?
Anyway, for for folks interested in learning more about why rewarding behavior will backfire in ways you'd never considered, take a look at "Punished by Rewards," by Alfie Kohn. And for folks not interested, take a look at those graphics. Yech.