Token Reward Systems

Also known as "Token Economies", a token reward system can be a very effective way of modifying a child's behavior, but setting one up and maintaining it is often more involved and more challenging than parents expect. The basic idea is fairly straightforward: Token systems are "money" for children.
However, they require many considerations, such as"

• How many tokens does a behavior earn?
• Should all behaviors earn tokens?
• Should tokens reset at the end of the week?
• How many tokens should the rewards cost?
• Do I need to provide a token every time?
• Can tokens be taken away? 

I've seen quite a few parents begin to implement a token system and run into unexpected difficulties, and I've seen quite a few parents come in and tell me, "we've tried token systems, they don't work!" I'll not say that token systems always work, but they can be used with many behaviors and produce excellent success, but parents need to plan and prepare.

I've written up a basic guide on implementing token reward systems. The guide is meant to provide some guidelines and help parents plan a token system. Token systems often look different depending on the family, the behavior, the child's age, and what the child likes. Parents should feel encouraged to modify these systems as suits them, and involving the child in planning the rewards is usually a good idea!

One last word of caution with a token system: Make it predictable and consistent. Stick to it. It can take a child a while to figure out how a new system works and that it is actually something that's going to be around for a while (and therefore is worth adjusting to). 

Basic Token Reward System Guide