I’m looking for some practical advice on using positive reinforcement with kids. What are some techniques that actually work? I’ve tried a few things but not sure if I’m doing it right. Any tips from parents or teachers who’ve had success with this would be great. Thanks!
We’ve been using a simple point system in our house. The kids earn points for things like helping set the table or getting ready for school without reminders. They can save up points for bigger rewards or use them for small daily privileges.
It’s been working pretty well so far. The kids seem more motivated to pitch in, and there’s less nagging from us. We keep a chart on the fridge so everyone can see their progress.
One thing that’s helped is letting the kids suggest new ways to earn points. My 10-year-old came up with the idea of points for reading books, which has been great.
It’s not perfect every day, but overall it’s made things more positive around here. The kids get excited about earning points, and we get to focus more on praising good choices.
Sticker charts worked well for us too. My kids liked picking their own stickers.
I try to catch them doing something good and mention it. Not over the top, just a quick comment.
Consistency is hard. Some days are better than others.
I’m still figuring out positive reinforcement with my 5-year-old. We’ve been trying a sticker chart for simple things like putting toys away. It works some days, but other times it feels like a battle.
I’m curious what specific behaviors other parents focus on reinforcing? And how do you keep it up consistently? Some days I feel like I’m praising every little thing, and other days I totally forget.
Has anyone found ways to make reinforcement feel more natural? I’d love to hear what’s worked well for others with kids around this age.
Positive reinforcement was a game-changer with my kids. I remember struggling with my oldest when she was about 5. What worked best was being specific with praise. Instead of a general “good job,” I’d say something like “I love how you put your shoes away without being asked.” 
For my younger one, we used a point system. He’d earn points for good behavior, which he could trade for small rewards or extra privileges. It took some time, but eventually, he started doing things without being prompted.
One thing that helped was letting them choose their rewards. My daughter wanted to stay up 15 minutes later, while my son preferred extra video game time. Having a say made them more invested in the process.
It wasn’t always perfect, and some days were definitely harder than others. But sticking with it and staying positive made a big difference over time.
In our house, we’ve had some success turning chores into little challenges. My kid loves beating the timer when cleaning up toys. We also use a ‘chore jar’ where tasks are written on slips of paper. Picking a random chore makes it feel more like a game than a duty.
Sometimes we team up and race to finish tasks together. It’s not always smooth sailing, but mixing things up keeps it interesting. On tougher days, we focus on praising effort rather than results. Every family finds their own rhythm with this stuff.