Although their rooms aren't always tidy, their backpack always organized, or their faces always clean, structure may be more important to your child than you realize. According to the Child Development Institute that provides the latest information on child development, psychology, parenting, and family life, parents who provide leadership and structure that encourages self-discipline will raise children who are happy, healthy, and successful. Many experts recommend child behavior charts as a way to teach self-discipline and encourage positive behavior modification.
Child behavior charts may be used to encourage good hygiene habits, assign household chores, and track progress with schoolwork. However, the key to their success is to reward each item listed on a behavior chart, so that the child receives positive feedback and continues to develop good habits. For example, many behavior charts operate on a point system, allowing the child to turn in points to receive a reward after a certain period of time. Others may allow the child the chance to earn an allowance, for purchasing their desired toys. The key to having an effective behavior chart is to be organized and use it consistently.
Upon asking one 10-year-old how he feels about his “chore chart”, he explains that he likes it. “It gives me a chance to earn extra money and reminds me exactly what I am supposed to do”, he says. Even at a young age, children appreciate clarity and structure. They can be taught that there is a direct reward or consequence linked to their actions and to take responsibility for themselves to get what they want out of life. Child behavior charts are an excellent way to establish self-discipline in children, getting them to act on their own, while promoting good decision making skills.
