The schools here have a self-manager program. If the kids earn 100 points (by doing things that show how responsible, kind, etc. they are), and get their teachers, peers and yard duty people to sign it, they are awarded a self-manager badge. It has their picture and name on it, and they get to have a bunch of special privileges. Like they get to go to the front of the line, walk more freely around the school and have a big pizza party with the principle. I think it's such a great reward program. Well a couple weeks ago, Dave had the idea of implementing our own self-manager program at home for the summer. If I tell my kids to do something, they're pretty good at doing it, but I get so tired of telling them to do the same things over and over! So I wrote up a list of ways they can earn points, and the whole idea is for them to do things on their own, without being reminded. Some things are mandatory, like brushing their teeth; so if they don't do it on their own, I will remind them and then they don't get a point. Other things are optional, like writing in their journal. If they earn 100 points by the end of each month, they get a whole list of extra privileges. I even made badges for them, laminated with their pictures and everything. If all the kids earn it by the end of the month, we'll go to a fun restaurant as a family. Then we'll start over with each new month. All of my kids are excited about it, but some are especially motivated and close to earning their badges. I hung the charts on the wall, and except for Brennan, they all mark their own points. If they do something not on the list that they think is worthy of a point, they ask me if I think they can get a point for it. Or sometimes I'll catch them doing something extra thoughtful, and I'll tell them to give themselves a point. So far it is working GREAT. My sister-in-law wanted my lists, so here they are:
Self-Manager Points for Spencer, Tyler & Dallin
1. Clean up breakfast
2. Brush teeth
3. Make bed
4. Get dressed by 9:00 a.m.
5. Daily chore done by 11:00 a.m.
6. Practice piano
7. Do 1 page of school work
8. Clean up lunch
9. Make drinks for dinner
10. Set table for dinner
11. Jammies on/teeth brushed by 8:00 p.m.
12. Go potty/last drink by 8:00 p.m.
13. Trash out Monday before dinner
14. Trash cans up Tuesday before dinner
15. Clean up toys/trash outside
16. Sit quietly for Family Home Evening
17. Work on cub scouts/Faith in God
18. Vacuum living room or dining room
19. Clean bathroom
20. Clean living room
21. Write in journal
22. Hang up towel after bath/shower
23. Research a topic and teach it to us
24. Clean bedroom
Brennan's list
1. Go potty
2. Wipe own bum
3. Get dressed
4. Put dirty clothes in hamper
5. Make own breakfast
6. Get own water/snacks
7. Be reverent during prayers
8. Sit quietly for FHE
9. Sit quietly for scriptures
10. Sit quietly at church
11. Put toys away
12. Put dishes in sink
13. Ask nicely for things
14. Put shoes away
Self-Manager Privileges
1. Choose the daily excursion (pick 5 days - pool/beach/children's museum/park/zoo/skate park/pioneer museum/play with a friend/etc.)
2. Stay up 1 extra hour at night (pick 5 nights)
3. Extra hour of video/computer games (pick 5 days)
4. Don't have to do daily chore (pick 5 days)
5. Choose extra book for mom to read to you at night (this is for Dallin and Brennan, who always want me to read more and more)
6. Make any dinner you choose with mom
7. Make any dessert you choose with mom
3 comments:
I love it! Thanks for sharing your lists. We've done something similar with our kids with shorter lists, but this really gives me some good ideas.
That sounds really cool. Sounds like a good trade off for you--the extra effort of implimenting the program and rewards vs not needing to ride them; plus it makes your expectations very clear and concrete for them, which I hear is important for kids.
What does "pick 5 days" mean--they can pick the outing or stay up later for 5 days?
Ooooh, this is great! Thanks for sharing this. There's a great article in the latest LDS Living magazine with a handful of good ideas too... I'm always open to great ideas. : )
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