Can a Reward System actually help eliminate behaviors so often found in special education?
Simple answer; they did for us!
Today, we will discuss the four main reward systems used by parents and teachers throughout the U.S.
What they are and how they work!
What I’ve learned is that the more you talk about the reward system throughout the day, the better the results will be.
⤵️⤵️ONE-ON-ONE SPECIAL EDUCATION TUTORING
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⤵️⤵️ BEHAVIOR PLAYLIST
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In fact, reward systems are so powerful… we started using them for the children who tutor with us!
Children have a certain number of stars they need to earn… once they do, they can pick a prize off of Amazon and have it shipped to their door!
One day, my wife suggested we start a reward-based system to help guide our son with Autism in the direction we wanted him to go…
We had tried some reward systems in the past, but they didn’t work for him…
What I realized (and should have already known), is that not all reward systems work for an individual child… but to keep trying until you find one that does.
So why do so many parents fail to implement the same exact strategy for their children?
If reward systems have been something you’ve struggled to understand, or an area you feel could help your child… this short video is designed FOR YOU!
Getting Prepared For Reward Systems;
1. Decide on the incentive
a. The end goal once the following reward systems are completed
b. We’ve found it better to use larger incentives at first
i. Gets children involved in the reward system process MUCH quicker
c. These items range entirely based 100% on your child
i. Younger children - Favorite toy, ice cream, extended iPad time, etc.
ii. Older Children - More time with friends, movie tickets, money, etc.
d. Have the incentive displayed for visual reinforcement of the goal
i. If the incentive isn’t a physical object, use a picture.
2. Decide on the desired reward system goal
a. What behavior, action, or outcome is your child striving for
i. Younger Children - Brushing teeth, going to bed, sleeping throughout the night, positive behavior, etc.
ii. Older Children - Homework completion, school grades, tutoring session completion, positive behavior, etc.
b. Make sure the goal is attainable
i. If not, start with smaller pieces
ii. Example;
1. Child Currently Failing Math
2. Un-Attainable goal; Get an “A” in the class over the next two weeks
3. Attainable goal; Get an “A” on the next seven assignments
3. Decide the frequency for your reward system
a. Start out with shorter periods needed to receive the incentive
b. Example; You need seven stickers to receive the incentive, eventually moving it to 15.
4. Decide the type of reward system your child will WANT to use
a. The four most common are discussed in the next section.
5. Once the goal is reached, make it a HUGE deal!
a. Let your child know how proud of them you are
b. Aside from them earning the incentive, positive feedback will help boost results
Four Simple Reward Systems
1. Sticker Charts
a. Visual and Interactive
b. Mainly used for younger children
c. Method;
i. Use A Piece Of Paper or A Specialty Designed Graph Style Paper
ii. Determine How Many Stickers It Will Take To Receive Incentive
iii. Determine How Your Child Receives Stickers
iv. Discuss with your child often throughout the day/task.
v. Make a HUGE deal out of them reaching the goal
2. Reward Charts
a. Often used for older children
b. Replace stickers with simple checkboxes.
c. Make a HUGE deal out of them reaching the goal
3. Coin Based Incentive Reward System
a. Used for children who do better receiving a physical object
b. Use plastic coins or even poker chips
c. Once a certain number of coins are received, your child earns the incentive
d. TIP; For younger children, a “treasure box” works great
i. Use a cardboard box, or make a fun treasure box with your child
ii. Fill it with dollar store toys
iii. Children can pick something out when their goal is reached
4. Instant Incentive type reward system
a. Used for immediate results
b. For an action, your child receives an incentive.
c. Example; Our son has had SERIOUS issues sleeping through the night
i. We purchased a toy he LOVES - Hatchimals
ii. When he sleeps through the night, he receives two Hatchimal eggs the next morning.
iii. This approach is what FINALLY worked to get him to sleep through the night!
The bottom line, no matter what, keep going, it takes a ton of work, determination, and knowledge to get through it.
I truly hope this episode helped you understand more about reward systems and how they are effectively used for children!
From all of us at SpecialEdResource.com… thank you for watching this episode of Special Education Decoded!
