Token Boards & Incentive Charts

Token Boards and incentive charts are simple and effective ways to motivate students to demonstrate expected behaviors and to shape behaviors over time. 

1) First, choose 2-3 target behaviors stated in positive terms (ex. work completion, using kind words & actions, listening during instruction, following rules of the classroom). 

2) Then, meet with the student to explain the expected behaviors and ask about incentives for which they would like to work.  Reinforcers/incentives are different for every student, so this is an important step.  Some examples may include, earning: computer or tablet time, taking a break with a friend, leader tickets, lunch with their teacher, and food/snacks.

Helpful Hints:  

• Initially, tokens should be given liberally to help the student make a connection between expected behaviors and getting what they want (reinforcers).  

• Be sure to tell the student why they are earning a token each time (ex. "I really like how you completed that worksheet", "I like how you raised a quiet hand", "Great job following directions."). As the student begins to show an increase in expected behavior, the frequency of the tokens can decrease.

• It is NOT uncommon to see an uptick in behaviors initially. This is called an "extinction burst".  Planned ignoring, calm restatement of expected behaviors, and reminding the student what they are working for should be used to get back on track. FYI - You may sound like a broken record the first few days before the program takes hold.

Behavior Incentive Charts