Positive reinforcement.

PSA to parents.

This was not my original idea. My oldest is in first grade and her teacher blessed us with an idea, something to try for positive reinforcement.

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, littles just live in their own world. You feel like you’re spinning your wheels and all you are ever doing is disciplining your child.

I seriously felt like all I was doing was telling her to stop. Sit still. Don’t touch that. Be quiet. I’m gonna take x away! Ugh.

It’s rough. Always disciplining.

(Though everyone likes to think she has none)

And it’s hard. It’s really freaking hard. They are trying their best, and so are you.

Things can get negative though. They’re little minds can start to think..

I’m always doing something bad….

I’m always getting in trouble….

I can’t do anything right….

They’ll even start saying the bad things. And trying to reverse that, well, is another challenge.

It’s heart breaking.

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Got these jars and chips from Amazon. Made them fit my decor so they can stay out all the time 😆

I can’t have some crazy rainbow colored plastic jars sitting around.

But, everything we see or notice the girls do great, we award a chip (token).

Sharing. Listening the first time. Using their imaginations. Chores.

THE KEY - listen closely. Don’t take them away for bad behavior.

Only award chips, only positive.

They cash in and put chips back in our jar in the center for tv time, special treat, iPad time, ice cream or going places etc

This has made a HUGE positive impact in our home.

So I thought I’d share for anyone who may want to try or be going through something similar!

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Oh!

Now, we’re using these jars in conjunction with the habit tracker (see my other post).

The good deeds are basically broken down into smaller habits on the tracker. 10 good habits = 1 token in the jar. So, it takes a little longer to build up!