Token economy reward systems are a behavior modification tool that can be a little tricky to use at first. If you’re not familiar with this type of reward system, handing out tokens and finding the right rewards can seem daunting. But it’s well worth the effort. If you stick with it, you’ll likely see a lot of positive results. Here’s how you can overcome some of the biggest problems parents encounter with token economy systems. Get your child involved in picking out the rewards they would like to earn. Be open to a discussion about how many tokens should be required for various rewards. If they think it’s too hard to earn rewards, they’ll lose motivation. Keep some simple rewards on the menu that only require a couple of tokens and remember that rewards don’t have to cost money. Then, decide together where you will keep the container. When kids can shake a container and hear their tokens jingle, it often fuels their excitement to earn more. Sometimes parents state that kids steal tokens or aren’t honest about them. Keep the tokens in an area that is not accessible to your child. Write down how many tokens they have earned on a piece of paper that you keep so you can verify how many tokens they should have. You can even include this behavior on the reward system and give them extra tokens if they have the right amount in their container. Instead, remind them they can try again next time. Tell them you hope they earn their next token soon. Praise them when they handle their frustration well. Some parents use healthy competition to motivate siblings. For example, tell the kids once everyone has earned 20 tokens, the family will go to the movies. This can encourage them to cheer one another on as they work toward a reward. Change the reward menu often to keep your child interested. The more items on the reward menu, the more likely they’ll stay motivated. If you need to help your child stay focused, gain momentum, or promote persistence, they are likely to be highly responsive to rewards. As adults, we are often motivated by rewards as well (paycheck, bonus check, free time, new item, time with friends, sleeping in, breakfast in bed, a trip). Kids can benefit in many of the same ways.
