5.14 – Teaching and rewarding – feedback
Here are some examples of ideas to use in these situations. Did you think of others you could use with your children?
| Scenario | What others said |
|---|---|
| 1. Brushing Beginner | Isobel’s dad could put a sticker chart on the bathroom wall and let her stick her own sticker on each time she brushes her teeth herself. The stickers (and showing them off to friends and family might be enough) but if Isobel’s dad wants to he could let her choose a bar of chocolate or a colouring book if she gets a certain amount of stickers. |
| 2. Homework Hassles | Jahlani’s mum could do a deal with him and say that if he does his homework each day after school she will mark the calendar with a tick and if he gets a whole week of ticks she will take him to his grandmothers house or make a pizza with him. It could be extended to a further reward of a ticket for the football if he manages two weeks of ticks. |
| 3. Dog Duties | Zarek’s mum could explain that if he walks the dog every morning she will allow him to have some friends over and organise a dvd for him or ask his uncle to take him fishing. If Zarek manages the dog walking for more than one week she will save some money for him to go out go-karting. |
Well done you! You are learning some really constructive ways of getting good behaviour from children. We need to always give an explanation of why it is important to do the things we ask:
- “We don’t want dirty/rotten teeth!”
- ”We want children to do well at school and not get detention!”
- “We only agreed to have a dog if it is walked; after all it’s cruel not to exercise a dog.”
Communicating is key! We need to get family and friends on board:
- To look at the stickers and make the right noises!
- To be the family member that agrees to spend more time with the children if they do what is required of them.
We also need to talk about what they are doing well:
- “Great, you have four stars already.”
- “Only one more tick and you’ve got a full house.”
- “You are doing so well with your dog.”
- “Well done, I knew you could do it.”
- “You are brilliant.”
Talk about how proud you are of your children to other people – it does wonders for their self-esteem!
Go to your Journal/Diary right now and write down some good things you can tell other people about your children.
Next: 5.15 – Thinking spaceBack: 5.13 – Teaching & rewarding scenarios