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Reward chart for kids

Goals, a weekly target and the reward written on the chart. Made for ages four to ten, with themes they'll choose themselves.

Who is this for?

Goals

    Or pick from the list

    Layout

    Chart runs
    Week starts
    Each day shows

    Tick the days, count the ticks and write each row's total in the blank column. The goal is the number to beat for the week.

    Theme

    Paper

    Size
    Orientation
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    Your chart is made on this device. ChartKid never sees the names you type.

    Setting up a reward chart that lasts the month

    Reward charts fail for predictable reasons: too many goals, rewards too far away, and no one checking the chart. Fix those three and most charts work.

    Choose goals you can see

    Each goal should be something you could film happening. "Homework done before dinner" and "In bed by 7:30 with teeth brushed" are goals. "Good attitude" is a mood. Children argue about moods; they can't argue about whether the bag is by the door.

    Weekly target

    This chart has the Total column turned on. At the end of the week the child counts their stickers in each row, writes the number in the blank, and adds them up against the goal. Set the goal at about 70% of the possible stickers: six goals across seven days is 42, so a goal of 25 to 30 means a good week earns the reward without needing a perfect one. Perfect weeks are rare and a chart that needs one is discouraging.

    Make the reward a choice

    Children aged six and up like choosing from a short menu: film night, a friend over, the park, a later bedtime on Friday. Agree the menu before the week starts and write the chosen one on the chart. Avoid rewards that cost much; the chart is doing the work, not the prize.

    Siblings

    Add a second name and each child gets their own page with their own theme. Keep the goals the same where you can, or print one chart per child from scratch if their goals are different. Shared rewards (everyone reaches their goal, the family goes out) cut down on competition.

    Taper off

    After four to six weeks, when the goals are habits, retire the chart with a bit of ceremony and keep the praise. Bring a fresh one back, with new goals and a new theme, when there's something new to work on.