How to Use a Star Chart for Kid(s)
A star chart is a type of reward chart used for kids. When the child finishes a designated task or behaves in a particular way, he gets a sticker or hand-drawn star to reinforce the good behavior. After a certain number of stars, the child earns a reward. These charts make praise tangible and serve as reminders to children that they can achieve a goal through a desired behavior. You can track just one behavior or task at a time, or you can chart several simultaneously.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pen
- Computer (optional)
- Printer (optional)
- Stickers (optional)
Instructions
Make a simple large-squared grid using your computer, or just draw a table by hand. Make the column on the far left wider than the rest so you can write the task or behavior the child is going to practice. Draw as many rows as the number of behaviors you intend to track and as many columns as the number of stars required for the child to earn a reward. Pick a behavior or task you want to encourage. Good examples include brushing teeth or going to bed without fussing. Pick behaviors that the child can most likely succeed at doing. If the goal is too hard, the child will become frustrated and quit. List in the left column between one and five behaviors or tasks that you intend to track. Have the child pick a reward for earning a certain number of stickers or stars. For example, if he earns seven stars for making his bed, he will get to stay up one hour later at bedtime. Other good prizes include playing a board game with a parent, going to the park with a parent or being allowed extra computer time. Explain to the child exactly what it she must do to earn a sticker or star on the chart. At first, keep it relatively simple. For example, tell the child you will give her a star if she brushes her teeth. After she gets good at this and does it many times and earns the reward, you can require her to set a timer and brush her teeth until the timer goes off. Give the child a sticker or draw a star on the chart in the first grid square to the right of the target behavior or task. Promptly give the child a sticker or star every time he completes the behavior or task. Be sure to praise him and perhaps even report his success to a grandparent or other special person. When he does not complete the behavior or task, do not take away a star or sticker. Just tell him that he can try again next time. Alter the targets once the child consistently receives stars for a certain behavior. You can either make the task a little harder, require more stickers for the reward, or target a different task or behavior altogether.
