Positive attention and praise are the most effective rewards for good behaviour – hence the power of a reward chart when it comes to improving kids’ behaviour and aiding their social and emotional development.

A reward chart is a simple tool that you can print or make yourself and use to encourage behaviour change.

As parents, there’s nothing better than a peaceful house where kids regularly modify their behaviour to improve family relationships and learn vital social skills along the way.

A reward chart is NOT a magic bullet solution to bad behaviour and may not work with some kids but reward charts work well for children over the age of around two and can be a useful tool  for positive parenting.

Catching your child’s “good behaviour” is the power of the reward chart and giving her a sticker, recognition or praise while filling out the reward chart is the real reward for her and you.

How to use a reward chart

• You don’t need to wait for the perfect behaviour to happen to praise your children.
• Drawing the attention of family and friends to the chart, can also be a good way to reward children, and acknowledge their improved behaviour. This will work better when younger children are involved.
• Watching for how often your child is well behaved can encourage you too. It also gets you into the habit of recognising when your child behaves well.
• Make earning a sticker easy in the first instance. Allow your kids to experience the fun in using reward charts.
• If the chart seems to stop working, re-think the targets that have been set.
• When setting the targets for the reward charts, particularly for older children, it’s important to consider that the behaviour you are rewarding is your child’s interest, their participation and the effort they put in. Often it’s not helpful to focus on their performance, their talent or their ability.
• Keep promises. When you follow through on your promises, good or bad, your child learns to trust and respect you.

Print out one of our reward charts to make life a little easier for everyone at home.

Find printable reward charts

• Basic reward chart – sport
• Basic reward chart – flowers
• Bear dot to dot reward chart
• Dot to dot reward chart – lion 
• Dot to dot reward chart – flower
• Bedtime reward chart
• Butterfly reward chart
• ‘Colour in the stars’ fairy reward chart
• Dinosaur themed reward chart
• Fishy dot to dot reward chart
• Race car reward chart
• Cat care chore chart
• Dog care chore chart
• Teeth brushing chart