Are Reward Charts Helpful for Children?

Most of us have come across a reward chart in childhood, whether used at home or school. They are an extremely popular method of positive reinforcement. However, when it comes to your own children, you may have some questions – are reward charts really the best way to encourage good behaviour?

For some of us, there was nothing better than putting a new sticker on the chart, but for many, they were a source of anxiety or a reminder that we had not been well-behaved. In this article, we explore what reward charts are good for, potential issues, and how to use them effectively for your child.

Do Reward Charts Improve Behaviour?

The theory behind reward charts is based on positive reinforcement, which means that you encourage a pattern of behaviour by offering a reward when the “good” thing is done. A reward chart is meant to help children make better choices by providing something they want in exchange for good behaviours such as brushing their teeth, going to bed without crying, and picking up their toys.

For parents, a reward chart can seem like a great idea, especially if your child responds well to it. Some of the benefits include:

• Putting a focus on desired behaviours.
• Children understanding consequences and make better decisions.
• Helping children who struggle with new experiences.

For most, a reward-based system can be very helpful for motivation and keeping us on track. As children, we must learn behaviours that keep us safe, healthy, and happy, but it can be difficult for young minds to understand why. Introducing a reward helps connect the gap and form good habits.

Are There Negatives To Using a Reward Chart?

In recent years, some childhood development experts have recognised that a reward-based system is not always the healthiest for children. Some children who have anxious tendencies can become too preoccupied with the reward system, and others who “fail” to be good can feel judged. So it’s important to understand the aim of using a reward chart and your child’s personality before starting. Here are some other possible issues to be aware of:

Children can develop a sense of shame around their progress

A reward chart can become a reminder of how “bad” a child is, which can be very damaging to their self-esteem. If they are struggling to meet expectations then it may make them feel publicly shamed and develop an unhealthy relationship with the behaviours or with the reward system itself. There needs to be clear communication around expectations and what they find difficult so they can feel motivated to do better, and not disappointed in themselves.

Reward charts often focus on fixing a behaviour, not the underlying issue

As parents, it can be frustrating when children make everyday activities a battle. Whether it’s a refusal to go to bed, tantrums over going in the car, or an extra-messy little one, these issues can make parenthood even harder. The appeal of a reward chart is that they make things simple: do what I want you to and you get something nice! However, in many cases, a child often has an underlying struggle that manifests as bad behaviour.

Before using a reward chart, try to understand the issue and resolve the key point. This is especially vital for children with anxieties or a neurodivergence such as autism, which can cause sensory aversions. It’s also key to recognise that it is not always a lack of motivation behind children not behaving the way you want them to.

It can discourage inherently pro-social behaviours

Some parents and experts have found that rewarding children for pro-social behaviours, meaning actions such as sharing with others, helping others, and speaking kindly, can diminish their natural altruism. If children are taught to be kind because they get rewarded for doing so, then they can develop a “what’s in it for me” attitude.

How To Use a Reward Chart Effectively

If a reward chart sounds like it could be helpful for your family, then there are lots of ways to ensure you are making the most of the potential benefits. Let’s go over our top tips for making an effective reward chart:

1. Set clear behaviour expectations

Before you start, make sure that your child and any primary caregivers are on the same page when it comes to what “counts” as meeting the behaviour. For example, if “going to bed nicely” is on the chart, then this is open to interpretation. You want to encourage improvement, so be clear on what needs to happen for your child to earn their reward.

2. Have a realistic goal

If the aim of your reward chart is a significant prize, then don’t make it too difficult for your little one to actually achieve the end goal. If you put the bar too high, this will discourage them from even starting.

If the end reward is something highly valuable, like a new bike, that you want to be difficult to earn, then smaller rewards like a choice of a toddler toy, along the way can help keep up the momentum.

3. Allow for imperfections

Even as adults, doing everything we’re meant to be is a daily struggle. The most fundamental thing to remember when it comes to using reward charts effectively is that children need support and patience. There is no point in putting the weight of perfection on their shoulders as this sets them up to fail and makes everyone frustrated. Make sure to praise improvements in behaviours and recognise when they are trying to do better.

4. Avoid rewarding pro-social behaviours

As mentioned before, many experts recommend not putting pro-social behaviours on your reward chart. You don’t want to encourage reward-based thinking when it comes to how your child interacts with other people, especially as this can make them even more difficult in the future. If your child is struggling with social norms, then it’s necessary to look for underlying causes: are they being bullied at school? Are they around an adult who doesn’t speak kindly? Have their siblings broken their toys in the past? Understanding where anti-social behaviours stem from is much more effective than simply rewarding correct behaviours.

5. Encourage intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation is a term coined by developmental psychologists that refers to an innate desire for growth and curiosity. It can be seen in an inclination to learn new skills, have new experiences, and try again after failure simply for the thrill of trying. This is almost the opposite of what we discussed above, which is the mindset of only doing something to get rewarded. All parents want their children to be inquisitive and enjoy life’s experiences, so encouraging this open mindset is crucial.

Here are some helpful tips for implementing this:

• Praise hard work, not innate ability
• Encourage your child to try again after failure
• Break down big goals into small steps
• Focus on internal pride, not external validation

6. Model behaviours you want to see

The best way to encourage good behaviour is to exemplify it! It can be hard when we’re so busy but our children are always learning from us, so be mindful of your tone of voice and how you speak to others. If you’re working on good behaviours, try brushing your teeth with your little one or explain to them what you’re doing as you clean. This is a great bonding time for you both and a learning opportunity.

7. Realise when to stop

Some children respond really well to reward charts and they can make a huge improvement in their behaviours and attitude. However, for the ones that don’t, it’s important to recognise this quickly. Parenting is tricky and you won’t always do things perfectly, but correcting course is always an option. Talk with your child about how things could be better and come up with a plan of action that works for you both.

Planning on making your own reward chart? Take a look at our pocket money toys for some fantastic prizes for all ages. Or shop our sticker collection to make filling out the chart even more fun.

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