| If you want to improve how your kids respond to your | | | | have deteriorated. At times he does not earn his |
| behavior change program, you may need to fine-tune | | | | points, that in itself is a penalty so you need do nothing |
| your reward system. Here are six key questions to | | | | more. Refocus on the positive. |
| guide you to create rewards to a tailor-made fit to | | | | 6. Are you following through with your part? Parents, |
| your child's individuality. | | | | educators and caregivers are busy people and what |
| 1. Do your rewards have enough novelty to keep your | | | | sometimes is neglected, as a result, is their very vital |
| child motivated? Even the most fun and unique | | | | role. A most common reason that a well-crafted |
| rewards get old. Keep updated with rewards that | | | | behavior program does not work is because the adults |
| propel your children and students to keep working | | | | get too busy and those essential and exciting check |
| towards a goal. Fine tune and freshen up rewards | | | | marks, parent initials or tokens don't get handed out. If it |
| before their appeal fizzles out. | | | | is impossible to be there consistently, let the tracking |
| 2. Are you overlooking praise as a natural and easy | | | | system be self-administering, where your child is on the |
| to deliver reward? Praise blossoms self-esteem. | | | | honor system. You might be delighted by how he or |
| Praise is a compelling motivator. Kids love to hear their | | | | she honors the agreement. It is okay to commit only to |
| parents and teachers be proud of them. Praise the | | | | what you comfortably can do. And you will see, the |
| deed. "Good job on the clean-up. I don't see a speck | | | | time you give up now will pay off dramatically in the |
| of dirt!" | | | | time and relief that will be your reward.For more on |
| 3. Are you rewarding for effort? Build success into | | | | rewards in your behavior change program, see |
| your behavior program. Make sure your child can | | | | companion articles:Social Skills and Rewards: Five Tips |
| count on achievement. If a reward is getting an A, set | | | | for Tailoring your Behavior Change System to a |
| it up so the child has opportunities to get the thrill of an | | | | Perfect Fit for your ChildSocial Skills and Your |
| A. | | | | Behavior Change Program: Troubleshooting When the |
| 4. Are your rewards scheduled frequently enough? | | | | Rewards Aren't WorkingEllen Mossman-Glazer M.Ed. |
| Remember the objective of a reward is to reinforce | | | | is a Life Skills Coach and Behavior Specialist. She is |
| positive behavior. That means giving your child | | | | the author of two on line e-zines, Emotion Matters: |
| encouragement to keep doing the good thing. If the | | | | Tools and Tips for Parents, Educators and Caregivers |
| goal is a tougher for your child to achieve, set up your | | | | and Social Skills: The Micro Steps. Subscribe for free |
| program to give little rewards or partial points along the | | | | and see more about Ellen at You can take a free mini |
| way for effort or steps taken toward an end goal. | | | | assessment which Ellen will reply to with your first |
| 5. Are you keeping the focus on positive behaviors? | | | | action step. Over her 20 years in special education |
| Play down points not earned. You want your child to | | | | classrooms and treatment settings, Ellen has seen the |
| keep the thrill of earning in his mind and you do this by | | | | struggle that children and adults have when they feel |
| keeping the focus on building the points or | | | | they don't fit in. Currently she works in private practice |
| accumulating the tokens. Allow your child to keep | | | | helping parents, educators, caregivers and their |
| points once earned no matter how the scene may | | | | challenging loved ones find the tools to thrive. |