How to Create a Family Reward Chart for Good Behavior for Teens

Researchers at the University of Alberta School of Public Health found in 2009 that problem teens may be more likely to grow up into problem adults, according to a 40-year study of more than 3,000 people. To ensure your teens take the opposite path, reinforce their positive behavior -- helping them grow into healthy, productive adults. Opening a channel for family communication involves establishing boundaries and family expectations, including rewards and consequences for actions. A reward chart offers a visual way to help shape positive teen behavior.

Things You'll Need

  • Poster board (size to available space)
  • Marking pen
  • Magazines
  • Dual-sided tape

Instructions

    • 1

      Meet with your spouse or other guardian to compose a rough draft list of expected family behavior.

    • 2

      Ask your teens to meet and make up a rough draft list of expected family behavior.

    • 3

      Meet as a family to discuss both lists and expectations, and decide on what to include in a combined master list. Determining this list requires discussion and deliberation, so set aside plenty of time without any interruptions.

    • 4

      Create a master list of weekly expectations and reward charts. Write it on poster board, one for each teen, to hang in public area of your house. Use the marker to list the mutually agreeable expectations in a column down the left-hand side of the poster board, and list the days of the week across the top of the poster. Use the chart to keep a weekly record of positive behavior.

    • 5

      Meet as a family to discuss a reward system for teens' demonstrated good behavior. The reward need not be consumer goods, but might include additional time with friends or renting a special film to view as a family.

    • 6

      Cut out reward images from magazines for use on the chart. Involve the entire family in cutting images and represent the variety of goodies approved in the family reward meeting. Attach two-sided tape to the poster board boxes on the chart, to mount the magazine images as the rewards are earned during the week.

    • 7

      Hang the reward chart, and place the reward images in an envelope next to the chart for easy access. As family members observe behavior outlined in the meeting as desirable, take an image from the envelope and attach it to the chart for the appropriate day of the week.

    • 8

      Recognize good behavior at the end of the week. If your teen has an image icon representing good behavior in a majority of boxes for the week, allow him to select an award from the options represented by the images.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How To Improve Handwriting Of Teenagers?
      Good handwriting for teenagers may help increase their chances of getting good grades. Despite digitalization in most sectors of life, good handwriting plays a pivotal role in the education system. For example, most assessments at school need student
    • Activities to Teach Teens God's Love
      For Christian families, keeping Gods words in the hearts of teenagers, who are testing the limits and finding themselves, can be a challenge. Relationships, dating and peer pressure can weigh heavily on Christian teens. Remind your teenager and her f
    • How to Make Your Teens Feel Better About Themselves
      The teenage years are sensitive and fragile, as children transition into adulthood. For some teens, even the smallest slights and mishaps can cause them to spiral into self-pity and low self-esteem. According to Kidshealth.org, low-self esteem can le