Dazzling Deeds: Good Behavior Jars

I have determined that indeed the two’s were not bad for us, but the three’s, well, let’s just say I may need a pay raise – HA!

I have resolved that positive reinforcement tends to work better in our house versus negotiating or threatening to take something away.

I have decided that V is a collector/hoarder of small objects.

I have concluded we need to “tame the toddler”.

Why

V loves little objects (not the best thing I might add for little T & his need to put EVERYTHING in his little mouth).  She gathers, collects, sorts, & groups her little objects (hmmm…the reason she loves sensory bins so much).

With that in mind, through much brainstorming I have come up with our “dazzling deeds” jars!

A “dazzling deed” is something that is spectacular, I mean a super-duper spectacular behavior!

How

We have 6 small jars (4oz.), all with different little trinkets in each, and we have a large jar (20oz.) that the trinkets will accumulate in.

When she does one of the things, listed on the small jars (without asking, or nagging, or threatening, or negotiating), she gets one of those trinkets to add to her large jar.

I also don’t want to keep giving her rewards everyday, which will lessen the significance of filling up the jars.  (I do believe in positive reinforcement, but I don’t want her to have too much positive reinforcement.  For one, the real world is not like that, I don’t want to start her off like that, with a false perception, being rewarded for every little thing she does).  I also decided to do little acknowledgements along the way to keep her interested.  You’ll see on my large jar, three color coded markers.  The first one says 1/4, when she reaches this point, 1/4 of the way up, she gets a piece of chocolate.  The second one says 1/2, when she reaches this point, 1/2 of the way up, she gets a frozen yogurt date with daddy.  The third one says 3/4, when she reaches this point, 3/4 of the way up, she gets to pick out a donut at the donut shop.  And when she reaches the top, she can pick out 5 books, from my stock pile of books for her (mama hoarding ;) – I have a little addiction to buying used kids’ books).

Rewards

I gave the mini rewards a lot of thought.  We are not much for sweets with the kiddos.  They rarely get sweets, or desserts, etc., so this would be an extra special treat for her (increasing the interest & importance of the jars).

So, because this mama has a small book addiction, it’s only natural that her little miss has one, too!  V would rather have a new book any day than a new toy!  I do realize that this will probably change (I hope not) as time goes on and she finds other interests, but right now, books are where it is at with us!  So, without a second thought, I determined that as the final reward (& 5 books at once – I can’t wait – I think I am more excited than her).  I can just visualize her glee in picking out those 5 books!!!

I made these jars with general concepts (to be able to apply to more people & they can cater them individually {verbally} to what works in their household), for example; “play nice”:

• for us that means sharing our toys, no hitting, no snatching.

• for you, it could apply equally as no hitting the dog, no hitting mom & dad, no hitting in general, sharing with a sibling, no biting, etc.

Specifics

mini jar 1: play nice (orange butterfly) – when V shares with T, with no snatching stuff from him, & no hitting him – {heart buttons}

mini jar 2: dazzling deed (blue cat) – something spectacular: kind gesture, kind word, or a kind behavior – {star button}

mini jar 3: finish meal (lime fish) – when V finishes her plate without us begging or negotiating – {plastic gems}

mini jar 4: no fuss (teal elephant) – when V goes down for naps & bedtime without fuss – {colored jingle bells}

mini jar 5: be polite (purple rabbit) – saying please, thank you, & excuse me – {glitter pom-pom}

mini jar 6: clean up (red snail) – cleaning up her toys or mess – {flower button}

These are all things that we struggle with on a daily basis in our house.  V gets a trinket to add to her jar if she does these things on her own.  The first couple of days I had to give her nudges & encouraging words leaning her towards making the right decisions and the rewards that would take place, but today, we are on day 4 and she is almost 1/4 of the way up (& she is beyond excited for that piece of chocolate ;)

Now keep in mind, all of this, from the meaning behind each set of words, to the rewards, are all catered individually to what works in your household.  Your child may not care the slightest bit about receiving 5 books as a final reward, so it needs to be adapted for your household & individual child in mind.

Printables

Oh, and last but not least – I made ya a free printable…eek!  I {love} making printables!  They make my heart go pitter patter! :)

I made the ones that we are using along with a second page of ones that may also work for your family – ENJOY!

I also designed these jars with learning in mind.  Learning colors & animals (i.e. the colorful labels with animals :)

(note, when printing to fit labels, select Size Options: “fit” & “choose paper source by PDF page size”…see pic here for a visual)

Materials

• 6 mini 4oz. jars
• 1 larger 20oz. jar
• star, heart, & flower buttons
• glitter pom-poms
• colored jingle bells
• plastic gems
• jar labels
• color coded marker labels

Well, that’s it (I think!)  Let me know if I left something out :)

What kind of things do you do in your house for positive reinforcement?  I would love to hear your “taming the toddler” strategy!

INSPIRE OTHERS BY SHARING!!

 

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