Behavior Charts: 7 Tips Parents Should Know When Using Behavior Charts

Website design By BotEap.comBehavior charts are a mystery to many parents. But they can also be very effective when used correctly. These 7 tips will help you make better use of behavior charts to make your kids happier and better behaved.

Website design By BotEap.comTip #1: Use a single measurable goal.

Website design By BotEap.comIf the behaviors you want your child to start are not measurable, then how will you (or your child) know when the behavior has changed?

Website design By BotEap.comLook for measurable goals that you can see with your eyes like: Make your bed every morning. Do your homework before watching TV. Take out the trash.

Website design By BotEap.comTip #2: Express your desired results in positive language.

Website design By BotEap.comInstead of focusing on what you want your child to stop doing, focus on what you want your child to start doing.

Website design By BotEap.comSay “Put the dishes in the sink” instead of “Stop leaving dishes in the house.” This little distinction will make a big difference.

Website design By BotEap.comTip #3: Start with low expectations.

Website design By BotEap.comIf your child has misbehaved or hasn’t done their homework for several weeks, months, or even years, remember… old habits are hard to break.

Website design By BotEap.comDon’t expect her to become your version of a perfect girl overnight. Focus on a single specific action that you would like her to start doing and stay on that goal until she reaches it. Think in small steps and focus on one behavior change at a time.

Website design By BotEap.comTip #4: Involve your children in choosing the rewards.

Website design By BotEap.comYour child will not respond to the behavior chart if he or she does not enjoy or like the reward. Think about it. Would you like to go to work if you were paid in peanuts? It might work for an elephant, but not for you.

Website design By BotEap.comWhen your child is involved in selecting the reward you’re working toward (and agrees with it!), they’ll be more likely to participate in using the chart.

Website design By BotEap.comTip #5: Be patient.

Website design By BotEap.comEven if the behavior changes overnight, you should give it some time to become a new habit. Don’t stop using the board just because your child has made the bed 7 days in a row.

Website design By BotEap.comContinue using the chart for at least a month on the same behavior to make sure the new behavior is firmly in place. As your child improves, you may experience some “wins” toward your goal, and that will feel great.

Website design By BotEap.comTip #6: Take care of your own stress levels.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you expect your children to behave well, you must be a role model. If you meet his tantrums and defiant behavior with your own style of tantrum, things will escalate…quickly.

Website design By BotEap.comFind out what keeps you calm and focused so you can be available for whatever comes your way as your child learns to respect himself and the behavior chart system.

Website design By BotEap.comTip #7: Be consistent.

Website design By BotEap.comBehavior charts don’t work on their own. They are driven by responsible parents who act as the backbone of the entire process. Consistency will help build trust between you and your child and allow your child to feel comfortable trusting the process of using the charts.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you say you’re going to use the chart daily, go for it. If you tell your child that they can invite a friend over for the night as a reward for filling out their weekly chart, by all means, throw the sleepover.

Website design By BotEap.comWhen in doubt, put yourself in their shoes: If your boss tells you that you’re going to get paid on Friday, and then Friday comes along and says, “No, there’s no paycheck for you,” you’d start to lose respect for your employer. boss and your job.

Website design By BotEap.comBeing consistent can be difficult, but if you can pull it off, you’ll find much more success with behavior charts.