Our Potty Training program comes from Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, world's leading child development expets. Their work includes not only an easy to use toilet training program but also the world's leading and original baby signing program.
For over twenty five years our fouder's have been working towards providing a simple means of communication with children along with easy to use programs such as the potty training program.
To Reward Or Not To Reward
Our Tips and Suggestions
What are reward charts for and how do you use them?Reward Charts are for when your child needs to learn a new skill or requires positive support with a specific behaviour. The key to using the charts is to keep goals simple, realistic and fun. Saying “I want your behaviour to be good all the time” is too broad for a child. It needs to be a specific goal or behaviour that is achievable “Let’s work on keeping your room tidy. You will receive one piece for the chart each time you tidy your room”.
What reward do you give them?Negotiate a reward with your child—be innovative—not all rewards require money. Rewards may be:
- choosing the family meal for a night
- Hiring a DVD of their choice
- A trip to the local pools
You know what your child likes best—tailor the reward to suit both of you.
How important is praising?Praising is an important part of the reward system and can help build self esteem if done in a way that benefits the child. Target your praise— i.e. say “you picked up those toys really quickly” rather than “you did really well”. Be descriptive with praise—”That’s wonderful sharing” - and why “you’ve let Amy have a turn on the bike and I like that”.
Try not to fall victim to empty praising or over praise as this can create ‘approval junkies’. Make all praise realistic and genuine and try to use it most when a child is working on an area they are learning or struggling with. Normal and expected things children do, don’t always need praise.
What if my child has a set back?Set-backs can be part of the process—allow for them. Provide your children with an example of when you encountered a set-back in your life and how you coped with it “Daddy had to try and try again when he was young to learn how to ride a bike”.
I took a piece away from the chart. Should I have done this?It's not advisable to take any of the hard-earned pieces away, though you may not agree with the current behaviour, they did show evidence of appropriate behaviour previously and that needs to be recognized.
When should I use the reward charts?We suggest being clear in your own mind about the reason/s why you have decided to use the reward system with your child. Questions to ask are "is the goal the child is reaching for realistic or is the behaviour best dealt with in this way?" There may be times where the reward system may not be appropriate to use.
How will using a reward chart help with Potty Training?Above all, enjoy
Created by child development experts gives you peace of mind that our toilet training program will be appropriate for your child. Using the latest discoveries in potty training and best practices it will make the whole thing simple.
There isn't a lot of intensive learning to get started. All of the suggestions and advice are centred around making it as easy as possible for you and your child. Of course that doesn't mean no work. Ask any parent who has already completed potty training and they will agree!
