Every once in a while Nick and I like to mix it up when it comes to the boys’ star charts. We’ve been using these for over a year now (along with the popular Kid of the Day program) and when you use something that long you need to work to keep things fresh. Every 6 months or so we notice the boys have either a.) mastered something we wanted them to work on or b.) have become so complacent that they no longer care if they get a star or not. Sometimes it’s a little of both.
A couple of weeks ago we decided it was time for a change and I pitched the idea to Nick of adding in some actual chores. They’ve had “picking up toys” on their charts since we started, but they’ve become complacent and to be fair there are many nights they don’t really have toys to pick up because they’ve been playing outside or we haven’t been home much that day.
Here’s what the charts look like now…
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For those that can’t read Nick’s hieroglyphics, here’s what they can earn stars for…
Listening and obeying in public
Not having a time out all day
Staying in bed at night (I think this one will go bye-bye soon, because they’re doing awesome with this, even though we moved bedtime up 30 minutes)
Picking up their toys at night
Putting their dishes in the dishwasher or sink after all three meals
Putting their clothes either back in the drawers or in the hamper
Making their bed
Being ready for school on time, without us having to nag them
Things are going pretty well with the new items. We’ve even had some very close to 40 star weeks (40 earns them an extra special prize). They were excited about the chores they could do and I love, love, love to look into their room and see how they’ve made their beds…
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Almost looks like Ty is still in his bed! And Chase and Jackson’s sheets are on top of their comforters, but at least they tried.
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Yep, good effort boys! At least the blankets are on the bed instead of on the floor.
What about you? Is it time for a change in your home? Time to challenge your kiddos with a new skill/behavior?
Note: I found those charts at Target over a year ago, but they can also be found on the company’s website, here: http://www.boarddudesdirect.com/chchmadryerb.html
Also, you can read other posts about our star charts here and here. (And on that last link you’ll notice we removed the “staying in bed” line back in January, but then we had to put it back shortly after Lily was born because of the backsliding.)
They currently earn a trip to the “treasure box” (a box of random toys and goodies) for earning 15 stars and then when they hit 30 they get a drink from Sonic. As you’ll see in the other posts, we’ve used other prizes and number of stars needed to earn those prizes. All about mixing it up every so often! Our “week” runs Saturday – Friday.
We want to work on having our 3 year old sleep under a blanket. He flips and flops so much when he sleeps. He has a twin bed with two bed rails. How did you get your boys to sleep under the blanket?
They “learned” that one on their own, and even still there are times we go in there at night and the blankets are on the floor!
Loving the “Kid of the Day” idea. Filing that one away for later. What kind of surprises do you give away for the star chart?
Sarah, we’ve changed the prizes around every so often too, but currently 15 stars gets them a trip the “Treasure Box” (which is a box full of random toys and goodies) and 30 stars gets them a drink at Sonic.
Yes, I’m still out of the blogging loop. =( But I just spent a little while catching up on your blog, Helen. LOVE the charts. I definitely need to figure out how to incorporate “kid of the day” around here. It’s impossible to keep track of who’s turn it is to make choices!
Amy, write the initial of each kid on your calendar! That’s how we keep track and we only have 3 to try to keep track of right now!
Another great idea from you Helen. I think we are going to incorporate this into our schedule.
I NEED to do this!
how do you do it? if they collect 15 or 30 starts every week? in total? it doesn’t matter if in one skill they don’t collect any of them at the end of the week? or they need at least “x” number of starts for every skill/behavior??
Guess I should have clarified more! 15 stars earns them a trip to the Treasure Box (random toys) and 30 gets them a drink at Sonic. Our “week” runs Saturday – Friday. We don’t worry about a certain number of stars for the various behaviors. When we take away the “staying in bed” line in a week or so, it’s going to be hard for them to earn 30 without doing each thing at least most of the time, especially considering they only can earn the on time for school star 3 days a week.
Where did you get the chore chart? I need one for my 5 year old!
Sara, I found the charts at Target when they had back to school stuff out (I bought them over a year ago), but here’s a link to the company online: http://www.boarddudesdirect.com/chchmadryerb.html
Just re-read the chore posts, Been trying to figure out the 3’s and thought I’d check out your star charts. Thanks 🙂
[…] boys’ side of things, they didn’t seem to care as much about earning stars for their Star Charts. For nearly 2 years those charts have been great at curbing behavior issues, encouraging good […]