6. Use token boards to track activities completed and rewards earned

Use Token Boards (AKA Sticker Charts)

  1. Set up a reinforcement system to keep your child on task and motivate them to complete tasks.

  2. Children with motivational deficits can be motivated to focus on their work by providing a system to increase motivation through extrinsic means.

  3. Each morning review behavior, work expectations and provide encouragement for your child’s day to set them up for a successful day.

  4. This reinforcement plan (i.e. tokens, sticker charts, point system) will motivate your child to complete their work and increase on task behavior.

Set up the system:

  1. Choose 3-4 behaviors to target for improvement. State these behaviors positively; Do statements rather than Do Not statements. For example, “Follow directions the first time asked”, “Compete 3 assignments”, “Do school work for 3 hours today”.

  2. Choose a time frame for when you want to implement tokens. This could be a certain time of day in which your child requires more motivation or for the entirety of the day.

  3. Choose how many tokens your child will get before earning their reinforcer. Tokens should be given frequently enough in order to keep them motivated, this may mean frequent tokens with shorter reinforcement time. Or this may mean your child earns more tokens for longer reinforcement time.

  4. Reinforcers should equal the amount of work done for the individual child. For example, the student completed two tasks that took 20 minutes, they could engage in a preferred activity for 10-15 minutes as opposed to the student working for 5 minutes and then engaging in a preferred activity for 10-15 minutes.

  1. Create the token chart that lists the behaviors for improvement. This card will include boxes for the number of tokens you want your child to earn for your target amount of time. See examples below.

  2. Create an incentive menu that your child can earn contingent upon on filling the token chart (i.e. 5 minutes free time, item from a prize box, computer game, etc.).

  3. You can find many examples of token charts on line.