Fed up with the naughty step - alternatives?

[thereisalightanditnevergoesout]

We've employed the naughty step for a whle now - although we did 're-brand' it last year as 'The thinking corner' as we wanted it to have fewer negative connotations. The idea was that it was a place for contemplation, to consider previous behaviour and to think about how to behave next.

It works for the most part. Sometimes we go months without a visit, sometimes it seems that it gets a visit every 5 minutes.

We have 2 DDs (5 and 3 and a half) and a DS (2).

Recently, someone was telling me about Golden Time in their child's school. I hadn't heard of it before (I don't think they use it at DD's school) and I wondered what people's experiences (albeit second, hand unless any of you are teachers) of it are? Could someone who knows explain how it works? Do you think it's something that could be adapted and implemented well for the home setting as an alternative to the naughty step/thinking corner? (I realise it might not be quite so suitable for a 2 year old, though).

Many thanks

As I understand it in my DS's school, they are allocated a set amount of Golden Time per week. They can then lose time for a variety of misdemeanours.

I don't think it'd work for the younger ones because the punishment comes a few days after the behaviour though it may work for the 5 year old.

Golden time in school is usually where the children get to choose what they do for about half an hour during the week. (usually last thing on a Friday) The way it works best is when they have to 'earn' it in 5 minute slots. When you spot them doing something well you give them 5 minutes until they have earned the maximum. It's much easier to focus on the positives this way rather than the negatives and taking time away. It could be adapted for home. Maybe to build up to a treat at the weekend?

Hmmm mumtogirlandboy, I think our school does it the other way round ie start with so much time and it gets taken away. The way you describe does sound so much more positive.

Yes, I like the positive spin on it, mumtoagirlndboy - I think it's a very good idea.

My nephew (5) has a similar system in use at home - he has a few tasks like making bed, getting ready for school, etc, and earns marbles. Each marble is worth 10 minutes of computer time (be it Wii or PC). He can earn up to half an hour or so of computer time a night, or he can save it (to a certain extent) for weekends.

I guess a marble could be removed for bad behaviour.

I like the marble idea - something visual is always a good incentive. I'm not too worried about the losing of marbles (only my own!) I would rather focus on the positive - I think my girls would react well to this idea.

Thank you everyone for your ideas and suggestions.