A behavior chart is an excellent way to help your child correct bad behaviors. It creates an opportunity for you and your child to work together. It allows you and your child to monitor the progress of the child’s behavior on a daily basis. A sample behavior chart has been included at the end of this article for easy reference.

The parents and the child sit down together and develop the behavior chart. I suggest that no more than three behaviors be worked on at the same time. Allowing the child to have input in the development of the behavior chart gives the chart more meaning to the child, thus giving greater chances of success. 

First, decide what behaviors are going to be placed in the behavior chart. You as the parent will already have a list in mind. If you have several behaviors in mind, place two of them in the chart and then ask your child that you are going to let him or her select the third behavior that he or she will be working on. 

Second, decide on what reward(s) will be given to the child if he or she is successful at accomplishing the behaviors. The following are a suggested list but are by no means complete. Rewards will vary from family to family.

• Stay up 30 minutes later
• Rent a video
• Go to the mall
• Extra allowance
• Decide what is for dinner
• A trip to the park
• Have a friend sleep over
• A special snack
• Pizza for dinner

Third, decide on how many stickers the child must get during the week in order to receive the reward. If three behaviors are selected for the week, the child has an opportunity to get a maximum of twenty-one stickers. You as the parent decide on how many stickers the child must earn before receiving the reward. You may for example, decide that the child must earn fifteen of the possible twenty-one stickers. The number can be arranged in any order in the chart. At the end of each day, place a sticker in the box if the child has accomplished the behavior. 

Fourth, place the behavior chart in a conspicuous place such as on the refrigerator door. This will allow for easy access and monitoring by all.

Behavior Chart

Name: Susie Sunshine                                                     Date: Week of 10/22 – 10/28 

As with any behavior program, emphasis should be placed on the positives. The more time you spend showing your child what they are doing correctly, the more they will want to do those things. 

Frank Kello

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

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Last modified: 08/19/08