School Bribery

We've used our school bribery system for a few weeks and it's been working well so far. I don't like using treasure chest toys as rewards because the toys are expensive, you end up with lots of junk cluttering the house, and the kids get hung up on the rewards. But I've found a reward system that works for us.

Each Sunday night, I post a list of school activities for each day of the week. Most of the activities can be done in 10-15 minutes, but some are quicker (math fact drill), and others are longer (piano practice). Some are independent (read a book), but most are not. Subjects are spread across several different activities.

For each activity each child can earn up to three points
- one point for just doing the work
- one point for starting in a timely manner
- one point for doing it with a good attitude

At first I thought that simply doing the work shouldn't be enough to earn a point, but then I realized that sometimes just getting the work is is an accomplishment. Starting in a timely manner also is one of the huge hurdles, or the kids get distracted in between activities. Notice that correct and incorrect answers have no bearing on the number of points earned. As long as the work is done with a good attitude, it doesn't matter how many mistakes the child makes. Of course, the type and quantity of mistakes are an indication of attitude.

Today Sparkle had about 9 activities, so she could earn up to 27 points per day. Glitter has only about 6 activities, so she could earn up to 18 points. Then, at the end of the day, I add up the points earned versus the points available and calculate a percentage.

There are three reward charts. One joint reward chart, and individual reward charts for each kids. If one girl gets a 100%, meaning that she did all her work on time with a good attitude, she gets a mark on her individual reward chart.
If *both* girls have at least a 90% for the day, we consider it a good day of school, and they get a mark on the joint reward chart. This is to encourage the kids to help each other get their work done, instead of distracting each other. When the joint chart is filled, the kids get a joint reward. When an individual chart is filled, that child gets a reward.

That's the base system that we started it. Then I decided to expand the system. Bad behavior results in negative points. For example, kids can loose points for not being ready on time in the morning, or for failing to pass inspection. On the other hand, kids can get bonus points if all work is completed before lunch.

It's not a complicated as it sounds, and so far it has been working well. We don't get 100% or even 90% every day, but days are much smoother than before. It also helps me recognize that even if a child had horrible attitude problems, it was only for 1-2 activities and the work was still done.