What age to start with reward charts?

[caspercat]

For those of you that use them?? DD 23mths, no major behavioural issues (just the usual toddler tantrums), but have been reading (i know, i know) Dr Tanya Byron's book "Your Child, Your Way", & she advocates using them to help reward good behaviour before the bad starts. But she doesn't say from what age. I guess it depends on what i feel DD understands, but was just hoping to get a general opinion from the wise mumsnetters!
Also be grateful for any ideas as to what rewards DD should then gain at the end of the day - don't really want it to be food related!
TIA

I say not at all.

Read Alfie Kohn "Punished by Rewards" instead.

Praise is a demotivator.

I've never used them. Only now would my four year old understand the concept, but I'm sure she really wouldn't care less about having a sticker on a chart.

I used these for my DS2 but he has major SN. They were absolute life saver !

Don't use still with DD as she too reacts better to imediate praise and immediate consequence.

I've had huge success with reward strategies too, but I've found that they have to be specific to the child's interests. A sticker on a chart wouldn't mean much to my boy, but a Yu Gi Oh card does, or tokens which get saved over the week and translated into pocket money. If you do want to do give it a try, I'd suggest planning it thoroughly before you start, work out exactly what would motivate your child and go from there. Be very specific about what the goals are and how to achieve them, there should be no confusion.

Actually I think 23 mth is way too young to start reward charts. I guess some might be advanced enough to work with them but I'd leave it at least another year.