How to Implement a Sticker Chart System

Everyone needs encouragement and motivation to succeed sometimes, including kids. Young children have less sophisticated mindsets than older people do, meaning that you can often encourage them to perform using just modest rewards. A sticker chart system might be as basic as it gets, but your youngster will likely find it enticing enough to work to meet goals and follow rules.

Things You'll Need

  • Calendar
  • Stickers
  • Prizes (optional)

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase an inexpensive calendar to use as a sticker chart. Purchase stickers that will appeal to your child -- horses for your horse-lover or soccer balls for your soccer-player, perhaps. As your child earns stickers, she can place them on each corresponding day.

    • 2

      Prepare your child for the sticker chart system to encourage cooperation and success. Explain the behaviors and actions you desire from him that will earn stickers. For example, if you want your youngster to complete his daily chores without reminding or you want him to finish his homework before dinner, explain that he will earn a sticker every time he meets these goals. Show your child the stickers to spark his interest in the system. Tell him where he will put the stickers he earns and show him the calendar. Get him interested in the system by talking about what reward he will receive after earning a specific number of stickers. Perhaps you have some inexpensive toys wrapped and prepared to give your child or you could also plan an activity such as a zoo trip or a picnic.

    • 3

      Begin the new system at the beginning of a day after one or two days of anticipation by your youngster. Place the calendar/sticker chart on the refrigerator or another central location and get out the stickers so your child sees the setup. Remind your child about the desired behaviors that she needs to do to earn stickers.

    • 4

      Monitor your child̵7;s behavior throughout the day, especially during times when he should be earning stickers by performing the desired behaviors. When you see success, such as your child finishing homework before it̵7;s time to eat dinner, offer him a sticker and encourage him to place it on his chart. If your child makes mistakes and fails to earn a sticker, minimize the negativity about this and allow the absence of a sticker be the result of the setback. Your youngster will get the message and see the cause and effect without you needing to be the bad guy.

    • 5

      Watch the sticker accrual and when your child earns enough stickers to receive a reward, announce this achievement with pride. Tell your child that she worked hard to earn her stickers and now it̵7;s time for her reward. If you have an item as a reward, give it to your child. If you have planned an activity, schedule it as soon as possible to maintain your youngster̵7;s momentum.

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