Children certainly know which buttons to press to annoy us.  But, shouting and losing control (however tempting) is not the way to deal with a child who is misbehaving.  There is one technique that can bring excellent results: the humble sticker chart!

The sticker chart is a great way to give positive attention to a child when they have been especially good.  Simply add a new sticker to a chart each time you see good behaviour and remove one if you see bad behaviour. Display the chart somewhere your child will see it: on the fridge or a wardrobe door.

Firstly, explain to your child what the chart is about.  Children love stickers: they are colourful, easy for them to use, and when they are awarded a sticker they always feel special.  Perhaps allow your child to choose which stickers they can use for their chart.  Write their name clearly on the chart or add a photo.  Make sure they understand how it will work!

Sticker charts work for all sorts of occasions: potty training, eating well, doing school homework or just being good!  In the run up to Christmas sticker charts are especially popular!  Will Father Christmas see a chart full of good stickers and leave lots of presents?

Sign up at ToucanLearn and log in for some great sticker charts that you can customize yourself and a super sticker chart ready for Christmas.  The kids will love them!

Here are some tips:

1. Be consistent with the awarding of stickers.
2. Don't forget to add a sticker and don't put-off adding a sticker because you are too busy... make sure its done straight after you see the good behaviour.
3. Be really enthusiastic about the chart and the good behaviour.
4. Take stickers out with you so you can still award them when you are away from home.  They could wear the stickers on their clothes until you get home.
5. Don't forget the big treat/outing when the sticker chart is complete.  It needn't be a huge, expensive gift... just a little something as a reminder of your child's achievement.
6. Do make sure you still hug, encourage and chat to your child along the way... the sticker chart is just one part of the reward for being well behaved.

Good luck!

Having kids isn't only about indulging them - perhaps they can indulge you too?! For the first years of their lives, you run around doing everything for them, but as they grow older, you should start have them running around you! Introduce them to the idea of chores as soon as they are able to do something useful. From about 2 years old, they should be able to help tidy away their toys, put things in the bin and carry things for you from one place to another. It may seem cruel to introduce them to chores so young, but actually they will love the responsibility and they will love doing 'grown-up' things. Reward them through sticker charts at first and they will feel a sense of achievement. As they grow older and more able, you can introduce bigger chores and even start giving an allowance for their contribution. This will introduce them to the concepts of money and the value of money from an early age.

Sticker charts and certificates offer a great way to reward children for good behaviour and for reaching milestones. Sign up free to use ToucanLearn's sticker chart generator which you'll find in our 'Fun Stuff' section once you are logged in. Discuss a goal with your children, and plan a reward for completion. For example you might want to encourage your children to dress on their own, or brush their teeth really well. Each day or time that they achieve their objective, award them a sticker or star to put on their chart. When they complete the chart, they win a final reward. You should discuss the ultimate reward before they set out - and it doesn't have to be an expensive prize. It could be to allow them to invite a friend to play, or to stay up a little later one night. Small books make good rewards because it will encourage your children to appreciate books more generally. Sticker charts encourage children to concentrate on longer term goals.