Privilege Chart

This is an idea I picked up a couple years ago from a friend in California who taught a Behavior Management Class. I loved the idea, but Tyler was too little at the time to understand so I filed it into the back of my mind. Now I have a reason to use it! I modified it a little to work for us and this is what I came up with:

1. Typed out all the rules and privileges (oops--I think I spelled it wrong on my chart and that needs to be corrected--darn!). I have so many small, specific rules for Tyler that it always seems so overwhelming trying to enforce them all. However, he functions much better when the rules are specific, which makes for lots and lots of rules. I decided we would only put out 5 rules a week. I would pick 3 I want him to work on and he can pick 2. For the privileges, I chose things my children get to do each day that they would be very sad without (for instance, at bedtime we read books and sing songs).

2. Cut out and laminate the words. I used packing tape to "laminate" my words.

3. Attach magnets to the back of the words. I found an old Allstate Insurance magnet (the big kind with the year calendar on it) and cut it into small pieces. Then I used craft glue to adhere the magnets to the words.

4. Use some sort of magnetic board for the rules/privileges. I am currently using an old cookie sheet for this purpose.

HOW TO USE:

1. Choose rules you want your child to work on (I chose 3). Have child choose rules they want to work on (he chose 2). Place remaining rules on back of board.

2. Place privileges on board--leaving out any irrelevant for the day or time of year.

3. When your child breaks a rule, I always give a warning first, you can do what you want. The second time it happens, the child chooses the privilege they lose. That is the key to this privilege chart. According to my friend, and I think so too, putting the child in control makes them feel responsible for losing the privileges instead of placing the blame on the parent.

4. Start each new day with all the privileges on the chart (unless it was lost during bedtime--then you can make them wait another day).