How to Make a Catch Them Being Good Chart
Whether your youngster needs a little positive motivation to help curb a few bad behaviors or you̵7;d like to start taking note of all the good things he does in a day, you can make a simple, colorful chart that will help reinforce good behavior. Talk to your youngster about the types of behavior you̵7;ll be looking for before you begin keeping track, as well as any reward he can expect for being caught in a particular number of good behaviors. Then, all you have to do is look forward to filling up the squares and praising your child for a job well done.
Things You'll Need
- Poster board
- Ruler
- Various colored markers
- Self-adhesive laminating sheets
- Stickers (optional)
- Blank magnet sheets
- Large magnet
Instructions
Reusable Behavior Chart
Lay a sheet of poster board on your work surface and write the title of the chart across the top. Draw a grid beneath the title with a ruler and markers. You will use each row to accumulate magnets for good behavior. Once your youngster reaches the end of the row, it̵7;s reward time. For a simple chart, divide it into 11 columns, but make the last column approximately twice as wide as the rest. In this last column, write words of praise and congratulations, such as ̶0;You Did It.̶1; Write the numbers one through 10 across the top row, leaving the 11th space empty. Laminate the chart with a self-adhesive laminating sheet so you can reuse it as often as you like. Post the chart on the fridge or hang it on the wall. Each time you catch your child demonstrating good behavior, fill a grid square with a sticker or draw a picture with washable marker. Continue to fill up the row with stickers or pictures until you reach the last column, and then reward your child in a way you feel is appropriate. Surprise Chart
Lay out a sheet of poster board and draw a large grid with a ruler and markers. Leave a space at the top for the title of the chart and make each grid square large enough to write at least four to five medium-size words, or cover with a medium-size magnet. Aim for approximately 75 to 100 grid squares to make the chart last for a few weeks. Write a prize in some of the boxes, such as extra story time, a trip to the park or other rewards you̵7;d like to offer your youngster. Include at least 10 prize squares in the 100-square grid. Write a variety of encouraging praises in other squares, such as ̶0;Way to Go̶1; and ̶0;Excellent Job.̶1; Fill up approximately 75 percent of the remaining squares with these comments. Draw pictures, happy faces and other decals in the remaining grid squares. Measure the size of each grid square. Make grid squares according to this size in a label or photo editing program and add clip art or other decals to each square. Print the decals on magnet sheets and cut the sheets into individual grid squares. Cover the grid squares on the chart with the magnets. Now, when you catch your child being good, you can have her remove one of the magnet-covered grid squares to reveal the prize, praise or picture underneath. Secure the chart to the fridge with a large magnet and start watching for good behavior.
