Tip Tuesday: Creative Reward System for Your Kids

So, I finally found a reward system that works for my son. My son is 6 and without going into too much detail on his needs, he was having a hard time adjusting to life as an elementary student. He is use to being with me most of the time since he has been born. I wouldn't call him a Momma's boy (although I see nothing wrong with loving your Mom. :), but he wasn't use to being away from home for that long. He was never one to want to stay the night anywhere but home so you could imagine how elated I was that he was going to start school and I was going to get some grown up time or at least a little bit of alone time. Well, I could go on and on, but I will give you the short version.

 

Since he didn't want to stay at school, he began acting out and the school system being what it is in my neighborhood (I won't bash them, but wonder how some still have a job), my son's needs weren't being met and they would just call for me to come and get him. Well, after fighting for months and months they have finally given in to my demands to have him in a specialized class to deal with his developmental and sensory issues. After just one week in the new school and class, his behavior towards school completely changed for the better. An incentive that I have for him has worked tremendously as well so I thought I would share this little tip with you all.

 

My son loves puzzles and he loves rewards, but to reward a child with candy or a toy every day for being good...well, that's really not helping them. A child shouldn't be constantly rewarded with candy and things every day for behaving how they should already be behaving. So, I thought lets reward him with 2 puzzle pieces each day he does well and when the puzzle is completed, then he will get a reward that was chosen as we started the puzzle. It could be a dinner out with just Mom, a toy, go to Chuck E. Cheeses, etc. My son chose a toy that he has been wanting for a bit. Read on to find out exactly what I did to have such a turn-around with my son and I hope it will be helpful to you or someone you know as well. Please feel free to share this with anyone you feel could benefit from it.

 

 

Things you will need:

• 1 Puzzle (I used a 35 piece since he is so young.)





 

 

• 1 Permanent Marker
• Assemble Puzzle and flip it over.
• Discuss with your child how they want to number it. (My son wanted to go around the outside and work his way to the middle. It's important to have your child be a part of the process and get him or her excited about the reward.)

 

 

After numbering the puzzle pieces, disassemble the puzzle and place it back in the original packaging. Part of the fun on earning the puzzle pieces is searching for the numbers in the box and pulling them out. Also, when they earn more, they can look at what they have and tell you the next two numbers they are looking for. I figured, might as well do a little learning in the process right?

 

The last thing is optional:

 

• 1 small, clear storage bin (I use a 6.2 Qt. Sterilite Modular Latching box for this size puzzle which I will link below since my son decorated his. I purchased mine at Walmart)  
• http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-6.2-Qt-Modular-Latching-Box-Bamboo/31955089(not a sponsored link)

I found that having a small bin to place the assembled pieces in has helped to keep it off of a table where it could be messed with by other siblings or get in the way. I have the bin on top of my refrigerator with the puzzle box sitting on top and ready to go. I found that a clear bin is best so that I can lift it up and my son can look at the bottom of it to see the progress of the puzzle.

 

I hope this Tip Tuesday has been helpful. Again, please share with anyone that is looking for ideas to get their child to behave, do their chores, homework, etc. Someone I know who is a counselor loved this idea that I had and now shares it with some of her clients. If you give this a try, I would love to know if it works out for you. Good luck parents. Kids can be a handful, so sometimes it takes some creativity to get them going. Don't forget to like my page on Facebook by clicking (here) and be on the lookout for some more content very soon.