Some kids need you to encourage their accomplishments with big celebrations when they are learning new skills. A two-minute dance party or three rounds of twinkle high fives. Other kids might just enjoy a quiet thumb fist bump and a wink, or a “nice job” whispered in the ear accompanied by a hug. Some kids LOVE stickers while others LOVE stamps. Whatever the reward, make sure it is truly rewarding for your child. You know your child and what feeds their innermost being. Do that! Do it generously! Do it consistently! They will become involved in learning and they will remember the skills you are teaching them.
Use these three areas of encouragement to teach and build skills that are necessary at home and at school. Catch them doing the “right thing” and you will be astounded by their growth and success!
Social Encouragement—When building easy skills or behaviors:
 |  |  |
Be specific!“Good job following directions the first time I asked.”
| Be focused!“You worked really hard on your homework! Nice job!” | Be positive!“Good job getting your chores done today!” |
Tangible Encouragement—Increase the reward when teaching moderately difficult skills or behaviors:
STICKERS and STAMPS on a chart or on their arms.
Temporary TATTOO or a two-minute DANCE PARTY.
Picking DESSERT for the family.
Incentive Charts—Strengthen your support by helping kids see their success when teaching routines and complex or difficult skills, activities, or behaviors:
 | Create a chart. |
Use stickers or stamps that are exciting for your child. | |
Decide on the reward and how often they can earn it. | |
Put the chart where your child can see their progress. |
Important ingredients for Incentive Chart success-
- Include your child in any or all of the creative decisions for the chart. It will generate excitement and buy-in
- Tell them ahead of time that you are the only one who gets to put stickers on the chart.
- Notice when your child is doing the right thing and give them a sticker
- When kids are just learning a skill, they may need to be rewarded more frequently. As they build the skill you are teaching the frequency of reward can continue to grow a little longer until they have mastered it and don’t need the reward anymore
- Never take away a sticker, stamp, or reward that your child has earned
