Talk to me about marble jars/pasta jars

[minipie]

Thinking of starting one of these for DD (age 4).

If you have used one, please can you tell me what worked well?

For example

• Do I only put marbles/pasta in for good behaviour, or also take out for bad? Really on the fence about this one
  

• How many marbles/pasta to get a reward? I think DD would react better to little rewards more often, rather than having to fill a huge jar iyswim (she's not old enough to think long term yet...)
  

• Little reward ideas please?
  

Thanks

[minipie]

Just realised my thread title should say please

No marble for me!

[Imaystillbedrunk]

My son gets a marble for trying something new for dinner, going to sleep nicely, having a hair cut ... All the stuff he moans about. He doesn't lose any for bad behaviour. He just doesn't earn any more. Once the jar is full he can exchange it for a gift.

[minipie]

Thanks Imay! May I ask, how old is he, and how many marbles fit in the jar (roughly) or how often does he get the gift?

[Imaystillbedrunk]

He is 4 and a half. He gets a gift about once a month. We do tend to give multiple marbles at times to keep his interest up.

We also do a trade off with some marbles if he wants a treat (like football cards). He gives up a few marbles to get a little treat

[minipie]

Ah interesting. So he can get mini rewards along the way by trading. But then it takes him longer to fill the jar. So you're kind of teaching him about spending and saving as well.

Thanks, food for thought