Has anyone used reward charts - what is the best age to start?

[tinatantrum]

And how exactly do they work? Also did you make one or buy it?

[luciemule]

I think an easy way is to buy a load of reusable stickers that you can just stick to the fridge and then you don't even need a chart, then when the week's finished, take them off and start from scratch.

We're doing that DS (2yrs) and brushing his teeth at the moment as he's very anti anyone brushing them. It's kind of worked.

Did it for DD at one point when she was 3 and it did work for a while but then she'd become so well behaved she didn't need it. Now I use the naughty step if she's being naughty but she doesn't need a chart for behaviour - I just praise her a lot when she's good and that's enough.

[luciemule]

Forgot to say - you could do it with a jar of marbles and take one out of the good jar and put it into the naughty jar when your DC has been misbehaving. Super nanny does that.
TBH, my DC's never really need a physical reward at the end of the week, the sticker itself is enough of a reward!

I did know a woman who gave her 3 yr old a fiver to spend in Toys R Us every friday when they got a certain number of stickers! Rather generous I feel!!!

[frances5]

I made a starchart out of card and the stars stick on with velco. It was a lot of work.

My son definately likes a physical reward. usually it takes him about three weeks to get 16 stars to get his reward. (Which varies in financial value from 99p to £10, there is no real logic and often the 99p toys are the most popular. When the rewards have been more expensive they have often been things like clothes rather than expensive toys)

Star charts didn't work with my son until he was four years old. Even then it works for somethings, but not for others.

For example star charts do not moviate a tired child not to wake up in the night.

I also think its important to become too independent on them to make your child behave. I expect my son to be good and see no reason why I should pay him to behave.

My son gets stars for specific things he struggles with rather than just being good.
Especially as "being good" is a vague term.
For example he is dyspraxic and I reward him for the effort of practicing his handwriting.

I don't ever take stars off him as a punishment. I find that its too negative.