Free Behavior Charts

Types of Free Behavior Charts

There are a wide variety of charts to choose from. Some focus on chores, specific actions, or daily goals. The key to choosing the best free chart is to find one that will work well for both the behavior to be modified and for the child involved, not just a blank template.

Behavior charts are often used for young children. In order to help them remember to do their chores or play nice with siblings, for example. Clear and simple organization is critical for kids to understand a chart, and the younger the child is, the more directed that organization must be. If they cannot read, use pictures to clearly demonstrate the behavior; plus, colorful designs also help keep the chart positive and fun. Large printing will make it more visible and keep focused on the tasks it represents. Select only a few critical behaviors to keep the chart from seeming overwhelming to a young child.

Older children can use more detailed, long-term charts that track cumulative progress toward a larger goal. Multiple behaviors, tasks, and items can be listed, and there may be room to track totals as well.

Characteristics of different free charts include:

• Space to list multiple tasks or behaviors to be tracked.
• Hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly time increments that match the intended goal.
• Space to note successful items.
• Titles, legends, and other keys to remind kids about the purpose of the chart.

How to Use Charts Effectively

Regardless of the type of chart you choose, you must use it effectively in order to help a child change their behavior. Free behavior charts are great tools, but only if used properly.

• Place a chart where it will be noticed. On the child’s bedroom door, a family bulletin board, or the refrigerator are good choices because the chart will be noticed by all family members.
• Be consistent about using the chart. Giving leeway one day and not the next sends a mixed message, diluting the importance of the chart and the behaviors it tracks.

Colorful charts are fun to use.

• Let the child have control of the chart. Letting him/her color in ovals or spaces, place stickers, or draw lines to show positive progress provides ownership of the behavior.
• Review the chart daily. By reminding children about the chart's goals and celebrating their daily successes, you reinforce the behavior and demonstrate your happiness at their progress.
• Offer a range of difficulty levels. Children must feel some success in order to stay enthusiastic about a chart. Thus, if the goals are too difficult to achieve, they will quickly lose patience and interest. At the same time, do not overload a chart with frivolous items because there will no incentive to accomplish the harder goals.
• Avoid vague language. “Be good” may mean one thing to the parent and another to the child, while “say please when asking for a treat” is far less subjective. Then both parties can easily agree on when the behavior actually occurs.
• Give the chart a chance to work. No child will modify their behavior in just one week, no matter how well done a chart may be. Kids need time to develop new behavior patterns, and charts should be used 4-6 weeks to adequately cement new behaviors.

Rewards and Consequences

One of the best ways to motivate children with free behavior charts is through a system of rewards and consequences. Rewards can be simple, inexpensive items: a piece of candy, being allowed to stay up late, being excused from a chore, or getting extra play time with Mom or Dad. By offering extrinsic rewards, children have a understandable goal to work toward rather than simply being told to change their behavior.

For older children, rewards can be more complex. Charts can include point values for good behaviors as well as negative values for undesirable behaviors. When the total reaches a predetermined number, then they have earned their reward. Those rewards should be clearly stated ahead of time so that both parties know the end result.

Some behavior charts offer space to write consequences or punishments. In many cases, these types of charts should be avoided because they focus on a negative action rather than a positive one.

Where to Find Free Behavior Charts

Free behavior and chore charts can be found in many locations. The easiest solution for an extremely customized chart is to create one with a simple table or spreadsheet program.

These websites also offer a range of free printable charts:

• Lattitudes.org: Single or multiple task charts for different age groups, also includes affirmation coupons.
• DLTK’s Charts: A wide variety of highly customizable charts including popular cartoon characters and other fun themes.
• Chart Jungle: Printable charts focusing on specific desirable behaviors and character traits.

Other charts can be found by searching the Internet or your local kids bookstore for specific types of charts such as “chore chart,” “homework chart,” or “behavior chart.”

Free behavior charts are a great tool for parents and other individuals who interact with children. With a consistent, positive approach, using a chart can help modify undesirable behaviors and craft new behavior patterns in a fun, creative way that gives children ownership of their actions.

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