Daily Report Card, Part 2
Try grouping rewards so that the most desirable, or Level 1, prizes are earned by the highest level of performance — achieving 90 to 100 percent of possible "Yes" marks on the DRC. Achieving 75 to 89 percent "Yeses" lets your child choose from Level 2 rewards, while 50 to 74 percent gains her access to Level 3 rewards.
Alternatively, if all the rewards are of equal value, let your child choose three prizes if she achieves the highest level of performance, two prizes if her marks fall in the medium range, and one prize if she scores in the lowest success range.
To acknowledge consistently good behavior, offer a larger, weekly reward as well, based on the average number of positive marks over the course of the week. Use the same three-tier system of performance and reward levels. A weekly rewards menu might include a trip to the movies or having a friend spend the night. It could also feature progress toward a big prize. For example, if the big prize is a new bicycle, cut a picture of a bike into pieces and give your child a chance to earn a piece each week. When he collects all the pieces, take a trip to the bicycle store.
Younger children may need more immediate rewards in addition to the rewards at home. If your child isn't motivated by the after-school prize, arrange for her teacher to offer a choice of school-based rewards when she meets her goals.
Tweaking the targets
As your child responds to the program, he should be able to meet behavior targets more consistently. When that happens, raise the bar. Instead of requiring him to follow class rules with three or fewer violations, for example, make it two or fewer violations.
Eventually, the behavior will become second nature to him, and it can be dropped from the DRC. If he regularly fails to meet a goal, you'll need to make the criterion easier.
Be generous with your praise for good days and good efforts, and offer encouragement when targets are missed. And, since ADDers are known for losing things, help your child find a way to remember to bring the DRC home. A large note posted inside her locker might do the trick.
Adapted with permission from materials developed at the Center for Children and Families, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. To learn more about the DRC, go to the Center for Children and Families' site (browse under "Treatment Materials") or download the DRC Packet.
This article comes from the February/March 2006 issue of ADDitude.
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