Point Trackers: A Powerful Parenting Tool

Let’s be honest, parenting can often feel like a never-ending cycle of correcting behaviors and repeating rules.  It can truly be exhausting! But what if there were a more straightforward way? Enter Point Trackers! Point Trackers are an effective and straightforward tool to help guide and encourage your child’s best behaviors.

What is a Point Tracker?

A Point Tracker is a structured system that rewards children for specific, positive behaviors. It’s not about punishing the unwanted actions, but instead encouraging and celebrating the behaviors we’d love to see more of. Many caregivers have tried some elements of point trackers or reward charts with limited success. All the research-backed key ingredients for success are outlined below.

How Does a Point Tracker Work?

1. Select a specific behavior you wish to see more of: Clearly outline the behaviors you would like to encourage. Keep these realistic and achievable. For example, “Completing homework before dinner” or “Playing gently with your younger sister.” If you can only think of difficult behaviors, what are the positive opposites of those? For example, if a child has been pinching a sibling during dinner, you’d want to encourage keeping their hands to themselves at the table.
2. Select something to serve as a point:  Whether it’s gold stars or checks on a grid, be sure to choose a type of point that works best for you and your child.
3. Create a chart for you and your child: Make a chart with your child! These charts are best suited for locations that are used daily, such as a refrigerator or microwave. The chart should stay up 24/7 as a reminder for your child to practice good behavior. 
4. Assign Points: Each time your child demonstrates the desired behavior, they earn a point (or multiple points). The key is consistency and immediacy; awarding points right after the behavior helps reinforce the connection.
5. Redeem Points for Rewards: Points can be exchanged for rewards agreed upon in advance, such as extra screen time, a special activity, or selecting the family dinner menu. These rewards should feel motivating yet manageable for you as a parent.

Why Use a Point Tracker:

• Positive Reinforcement: The tracker focuses attention on what your child is doing RIGHT, helping build self-esteem and motivation. 
• Clear Expectations: Children thrive when they understand precisely what is expected of them. Point Trackers offer clarity and reduce confusion. 
• Fewer Power Struggles: As mentioned earlier, this tracker approach focuses on rewards rather than punishments. Research shows that this approach is the most powerful way to change behavior. Positive approaches to behavior change also protect relationships in the long term. 

Tips for Making Point Trackers Successful

• Keep it Simple: Don’t overwhelm your child or even yourself with too many behaviors or overly complicated rules.
• Timing Matters: Award points immediately after the behavior occurs to reinforce the connection between the behavior and the reward. 
• Celebrate Progress: Make it a habit to regularly acknowledge and celebrate your child’s successes, no matter how small they may seem.
• A Fresh Start: If a day doesn’t go as planned and points aren’t earned, gently remind your child that “tomorrow is a new day to earn points!” This perspective encourages them to focus on the future rather than dwelling on past mistakes.

In Closing

Implementing a Point Tracker can bring positivity and structure into your home. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection, but progress. Every positive behavior reward is a step toward building lasting good habits and stronger parent-child relationships. You’ve got this!