Sticker charts can work, if you put the effort in! We started using sticker charts when our first child moved into a “big kid” bed. He was a few months shy of 3 years old and it started out as a weekly chart where he got a sticker for staying in his bed when we put him to sleep at night and got one if he stayed in bed until we came to get him in the morning. Once he learned to stay in bed after we put him down, the chart quickly evolved into an “ok to wake” sticker chart that has been used on/off for many years, focusing on staying in bed in the morning until it was “time” to wake up (ie. until the green light turned on on his “Ok to Wake!” alarm clock). Click here for the one we use! It started out as a one topic chart and has now moved into a small list of things we are trying to reinforce. Staying in bed until the green light turns on in the morning was the biggest driver for these. Second to that, was potty training-related charts. We used a sticker chart to get our boys to go to the potty on their own (only for peeing… no one wants a young toddler to attempt to go #2 on their own…believe me) and learn how to pull their own underwear and pants up and down. For some reason, both of them struggled and/or did not want to do this part of potty training! We only implemented that chart once they were fully potty trained so it wasn’t too many things at once.
I want to note that we do not use sticker charts all the time, mostly because we can’t keep up, but we break them out when a new habit is needed or the kids get off track. Our two older sons (5 and 3 years old) share a room and I create a separate one for each of them with different categories based on their age (they usually have a few that overlap). We focus on one until they get their prize (ie. a toy) and then take a little break until I feel like they need to work on something or they start asking for new toys, which they can then earn by doing a sticker chart.
Here are some examples you can download and edit that I’ve used. I find clip art or take screen shots of pictures for free online and insert the picture of what I want them to do on each line. Visuals are key for little kids! Also, I try to print on white cardstock so the chart holds up a little better than if I used regular paper, but use what you have! By the way, I used to just buy stickers and hand draw the chart out to make sure they fit! I did this for the first few until I realized it was faster to do it on my computer and tweak as needed. Either way is just as effective!
Here is a picture of one of the first ones I drew myself. Easy to do, especially with a one topic chart to start out!
Below is one of our early Ok to Wake charts for staying in bed until the green light turns on. This one fits these stickers or other 1.5″ round stickers. It’s a perfect/tight fit though. You can download the Word document of this chart below.
Download a copy of this chart here. Edit as you see fit!
Here is a more recent chart we use for our sons with some examples/sample text and clipart. This one fits these stickers and you can download the Word document below.
Download a copy of this chart here. Edit as you see fit!
Here are a couple others we’ve used in the past for potty training! You really don’t need anything fancy!
TIPS:
- Depending on their age, build the sticker chart accordingly. If they are really young and it’s a new concept, start with one thing you want them to do. This way, they start understanding the reward system.
- Don’t be super strict with the first one (or even the first few). In order for them to be motivated, they usually need to get that first reward fairly quickly so they want to do it again. It takes a lot of reminding and consistency to get through the first one.
- Figure out what motivates them. For some, a sticker alone on their chart is enough of a reward to make them feel proud. That’s how we started out! For others, it could be a special treat or outing with mom/dad. And of course for some, a new toy or tangible item is the biggest motivator!
- Always talk it up. Talk about the reward, talk about how great they are doing, etc. The more you remind them and talk to them about it, the more likely it will work. It honestly feels like more work on the parent than the child the first few times to get them to stick with it, but the outcome is worth it! As they got a little older, we started letting the kids pick a toy out online and then I print the picture of it on their sticker charts so they are constantly reminded of their prize! I have also done non-material prizes, like a special ice cream outing and put pictures of icecream on the chart.
Good luck and feel free to shoot me any questions!
Xo,
Hillary
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