We've started using some rewards for good behavior around here. Cassidy's been challenging us and testing her boundaries more and more lately. So Cassidy and I created her cooperation board together (complete with glitter which is everywhere) and hung it up in her room. When we find her to be especially cooperative or helpful at something, she gets a sticker which she puts up on the board in one of the numbered boxes. When she gets her fifth sticker, she gets to choose a prize from the prize basket!
After the first five stickers and prize, she caught on. Now she counts the boxes she still needs to put a sticker in, and gets SO excited when we say she's done really well at something and gets a sticker! She'll run and tell the world "I did a supergreatjob (all one word)!"
It's a fine line we're walking here, between rewards for good behavior and bribing her for the behavior we want. We are sure never to tell her she'll get a sticker if she cooperates, and only give the stickers for really great cooperation completely initiated by her. We've had some tears when she thought she would get a prize and didn't, and some tears when she wanted a sticker but didn't earn one. Overall though, I think this is really working well. She seems to be grasping the concept of working towards a goal and testing us less.
It may be bad, but I'm all about what works, even if it turns into bribing. :) I think its the age she's at as well. Their super-sweet desire to please and obey turns into a battle of negotiation.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure my five year old is actually 13, so I wish I could tell you it gets better but my experience says... keep getting creative so you can stay one step ahead!
I think it's cute!
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