Sticker charts?

[microworm]

Has anyone here implemented a sticker chart for good behavior? We are having trouble with bedtime (shocker) and mornings. I'm reading a baby/toddler sleep book and it recommends charts. There are lots of ideas on Pinterest so I'm spiraling.

[athn64]

I have looked into it but am unsure DD1 will understand the purpose. She's more an immediate consequences kind of thinker atm.

[microworm]

Dec 5, 2016 9:41:54 GMT -5 athn64 said:

I have looked into it but am unsure DD1 will understand the purpose. She's more an immediate consequences kind of thinker atm.

Yes, that I what I am worried about with the sticker chart approach. I mean, he does like stickers so maybe just getting a sticker is motivating?

[emmagk]

We haven't done one yet, I'm not sure DS would be into it, but if you think it could help YS then i don't see the harm. Maybe picking out the sticker and putting it on the chart will be reward enough to get him to go to bed and get up in the morning?

[meggypoo1]

Right now I think they are only able to understand the immediate consequences. However, if I was in your situation I would try anything or like you said just a sticker

[athn64]

Dec 5, 2016 9:45:14 GMT -5 microworm said:

Dec 5, 2016 9:41:54 GMT -5 athn64 said:

I have looked into it but am unsure DD1 will understand the purpose. She's more an immediate consequences kind of thinker atm.

Yes, that I what I am worried about with the sticker chart approach. I mean, he does like stickers so maybe just getting a sticker is motivating?

Dd1 will do many things for stickers, so I think it's worth a try.

[activebaby]

My kid is sticker and stamp motivated. He is also Christmas light motivated, so he will wake up to look at lights.

[bliz1712]

I haven't tried them yet with Eliza, but I've used them on DD1. I think around 2.5-3. We did an immediate reward type chart. She got a sticker for each task that she did (get dressed, brush teeth, etc) without fighting or objecting. Then if she got all her stickers that morning she could have a snack on the way to DC. Nothing crazy, but like animal crackers, raisins, etc. We've also used them for SD when she was having issues in the mornings when she started Kindergarden. So many mornings of no issues and she got to pick something that she wanted to do (go to Mcdonalds, pick a toy out within a certain limit, or go to a movie)

We haven't had to use it in awhile. But there is also an app that I recently found. It's called Happy Kids Timer - Morning. It basically allows them a time limit to do a certain task. When it's completed they have to touch the screen to say they've finished and then they get a star. It then goes to the next event or item. It then tracks the stars and accomplishments. I haven't had to use it directly yet, but I'm going to when DD1 starts having issues on school days.

I think reward charts or apps can be effective, but they have to understand them. When I first tried on DD1 it didn't go well. So we waited a bit and tried again in awhile.

[microworm]

bliz1712 all good ideas. I did just start this toothbrushing timer app that he likes. It sounds pretty similar to the app you mentioned. I like the immediate reward idea. He is motivated by snacks in the morning. Not sure what I would do for bedtime. Maybe give him the option of 1 more book or a video before lights out.

[lrmrtn]

DS isn't motivated by stickers right now but let me know how it goes because after this morning of complete defiance, we need to try something.

[microworm]

Dec 5, 2016 11:11:28 GMT -5 lrmrtn said:

DS isn't motivated by stickers right now but let me know how it goes because after this morning of complete defiance, we need to try something.

This morning was rough too, hence my post lol.

[lrmrtn]

Dec 5, 2016 12:06:23 GMT -5 microworm said:

Dec 5, 2016 11:11:28 GMT -5 lrmrtn said:

DS isn't motivated by stickers right now but let me know how it goes because after this morning of complete defiance, we need to try something.

This morning was rough too, hence my post lol.

We also got a call from DC today. DS is pinching, hitting, etc. They think it's age appropriate and are moving him to the next room and think that will help. But we need to be better enforcers at home.

[lulu]

I don't think DS would understand stickers for behaviour and to be fair I've never felt the need to implement one.

However, we do have one for poo in the toilet.

He was brilliant at having a pee but not interested in pooping anywhere except in his pants.

So we got a potty sticker book and every time he does a poo in the toilet he gets a sticker - he can choose from things like pants, potties, an actual poo, toilet roll and a wee.

Instead of sticking them on him we stick them on his old potty so it's nearly covered now - that way he can see it and feels so proud. He gets it out to show people.

He also totally understands that if he has an accident, then he doesn't get a sticker. He doesn't cry or feel bad, just motivated for the next time.

[BurritosAtEveryMeal]

+1 for (somewhat) immediate rewards and consequences. It's worth trying!

I haven't used a sticker chart with DS, but this summer when he was being a pain going down for naps, I would give him if/then scenarios and it really worked as long as he got the reward as soon as he woke up. Example- if you take a nap now, then you can outside and play with the neighbors/have a cookie/play with play doh, etc., when you wake up.

[microworm]

I'm lol-ing at those sticker choices lulu.

[lulu]

Dec 5, 2016 16:17:30 GMT -5 microworm said:

I'm lol-ing at those sticker choices lulu.

It's a great series. You get Pirate Pete for boys and Princess Polly for girls.

I got DS the pirate Pete potty story - it's a board book with a sounds button the tots press to cheer when he chooses a potty, chooses pants, sits on the potty, does a wee, does a poo and then washes his hands.

The sticker book goes along with it.

It's cute - looking at poo stickers stuck on his potty not so cute!

[lulu]

Here's what he has achieved so far...the poop sticker was hilarious but it was his first and he was so proud he kept peeling it off to show people so it lost its stick.

[jennyinheaven]

We did it for potty training but not behavior. DD has been an ass lately so maybe it wouldn't hurt to bring it back as a behavior tool in my house also.

[lrmrtn]

I feel a bit better knowing my child isn't the only one acting like a fool lately...

[haykay13]

Dec 5, 2016 16:04:12 GMT -5 BurritosAtEveryMeal said:

+1 for (somewhat) immediate rewards and consequences. It's worth trying!

I haven't used a sticker chart with DS, but this summer when he was being a pain going down for naps, I would give him if/then scenarios and it really worked as long as he got the reward as soon as he woke up. Example- if you take a nap now, then you can outside and play with the neighbors/have a cookie/play with play doh, etc., when you wake up.

+1 on the if/then scenarios.
For naps I will tell him if you stay in bed and nap then we can go to the park, watch an extra show etc
With bedtime I try to make it something more immediate like if you stay in bed for 5 mins then I will come back and sing you another song.
Most of the time when that works he just falls asleep waiting for me to come back.

[microworm]

Seriously this kid is nuts. This morning he was the sweetest, most agreeable kid. He did everything without so much as a peep.

I'm still going to make something like this.

[haykay13]

I feel like our kids are sleep twins microworm. It was rough for us too. You just have to figure out what will motivate him!
My DS didn't care about stickers at all.
My SIL(not the crazy one) put a bag of fruit snacks on the DD's dresser every night and any time she got out of bed she lost a fruit snack and she would get to eat what was left in the morning.
I figured DS would just sit in his room and eat the fruit snacks at night so we never tried it, but it worked for them.

[microworm]

Dec 6, 2016 9:32:12 GMT -5 haykay13 said:

I feel like our kids are sleep twins microworm . It was rough for us too. You just have to figure out what will motivate him!
My DS didn't care about stickers at all.
My SIL(not the crazy one) put a bag of fruit snacks on the DD's dresser every night and any time she got out of bed she lost a fruit snack and she would get to eat what was left in the morning.
I figured DS would just sit in his room and eat the fruit snacks at night so we never tried it, but it worked for them.

It's crazy what parents have to do. But whatever works, huh?

Last night he was being defiant and said he wanted to hide from the dog. It's a game we play in bed. So I said he can hide from the dog after we brush our teeth, go potty, and put on our PJs. That motivated him.

[lrmrtn]

Dec 6, 2016 8:45:31 GMT -5 microworm said:

Seriously this kid is nuts. This morning he was the sweetest, most agreeable kid. He did everything without so much as a peep.

I'm still going to make something like this.

Our kids must be conspiring because mine was an angel this morning as well!

[bliz1712]

microworm, Did you come up with a reward for the bed time chart? I was trying to think of something but everything would be counter productive to bedtime, (food, drink, etc). I like your chart you listed above and might try it for Eliza. We are still taking 1-1.5 hours most nights for her to go to sleep. She fights it and it's frustrating. One night I felt horrible but I just let her cry off and on the entire 45 minutes.

[microworm]

bliz1712 all I can think of is watching a video on a phone or reading an extra book, stuff like that.

[lulu]

Dec 6, 2016 8:45:31 GMT -5 microworm said:

Seriously this kid is nuts. This morning he was the sweetest, most agreeable kid. He did everything without so much as a peep.

I'm still going to make something like this.

Your idea reminded me of something I made for DD when she was being stroppy and unhelpful and lazy.

I made a pile of chores (of her ability) and printed them out of bits of paper. I didn't use words but pictures - so clothes (for picking her dirty clothes), watering can (for watering plants), bin (for putting her rubbish in) etc.

I then took a picture frame - removed the glass and hung string from each side across the frame so it looked like a washing line.

I bought teeny pegs from the craft shop and every day made DD pick 3 chores to peg onto the line.

Every evening she had to complete them and take the off the "line".

It worked great and she didn't even think to ask for a reward.

She now doesn't use the frame, but just knows what's expected - which is just the result I hoped for.

I had tried rewards in the past for things like chores, but she became so lazy she would say "naw it's alright, I'll just go without thanks, I can't be bothered!"

[microworm]

lulu that's a great idea for the future. But yea I think pictures and something showing they completed something in the form of placing a sticker on the picture (or peg in your example) could work.

[JoBub]

microworm, did you implement the sticker chart? How's it going? Did you make one or buy one? We need something to keep bedtime routine on track.

[microworm]

Jan 4, 2017 14:25:48 GMT -5 JoBub said:

microworm , did you implement the sticker chart? How's it going? Did you make one or buy one? We need something to keep bedtime routine on track.

I did not. It got away from me with the holidays. I'm still interested in implementing though. Just have to get my act together. Let me know if you do something.