How to Devise a Behavior Goal Chart With a Child
It is healthy to teach children to set and work toward goals. If the parent models this for the child, they will learn to stay focused on the steps necessary for achieving goals. The following article discusses how to devise a behavior goal chart with a child.
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Instructions
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Sit down with the child and explain that you are going to teach them how to do something new. Take out a piece of paper and draw four or five rectangular shaped boxes along the left side of the paper. Make sure they are large enough to write in as these will contain the specific goals.
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Draw seven circles directly to the right of each of the rectangles in a straight line. Mark them above with the days of the week. Each circle will represent a different day of the week.
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Create a space at the top or bottom of the page for each of the two of you to sign. Call it a "contract" between you and your child. Explain that a contract is an agreement and that when they sign it, they are agreeing to work on each goal listed.
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Write a goal in the first rectangle. Make it an easier goal so that they do not get discouraged right away. Write it in a positive manner. Instead of writing the your child will stop arguing about chores, it could be stated that the child will complete a chore immediately when told to do so without speaking (except if it is to clarify what they are being asked to do). Each day that they successfully complete the goal, the child can put a sticker over the circle for that day or perhaps color it, whichever they choose. Do not decorate the circles designating the day in which the child did not succeed in completing the goal.
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Give pre-arranged rewards. Agree on a reward if they succeed two, three or another number of days out of a whole week. Follow through with the agreed upon reward and encourage them to challenge themselves to complete the goal all seven days of the week. Once they master this, get out a new sheet of paper and create a new goal sheet.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to involve them in every step of creating the goal chart. Allow them to decorate circles for successful days in any manner they wish. Give them loads of praise every time they achieve their goal.
