Printable Behavior Charts

Printable behavior charts can help you manage your child's behavior and chart his or her progress.

Before a child reaches even the toddler years, he begins to learn the concept of acceptable behavior. Most parent just naturally begin to instruct their children in what is expected of them in regards to right and wrong and good and bad. This is an essential part of molding a child into a good, law-abiding citizen. Does it happen overnight? Of course not…and the road to good behavior training isn't always smooth.

Positive reinforcement is often all that is needed to steer a child in the right direction. Children need to be told that they are doing a good job or performing in an acceptable behavior. One of the easiest ways to show positive reinforcement involves using printable behavior charts.

How do you use behavior charts to encourage good behavior in your child?

• Focus on a particular behavior-Consider the behavior that you want to focus on in your child, and model the behavior chart accordingly. For example, if you want your child to brush his teeth more often and for longer periods each day, create a chart that exhibits his success at this activity. Potty training charts are often used successfully with children who are having difficulty mastering the art of using the potty consistently.
• Focus on expectations-For example, if you want your child to help more around the house, give her specific chores that she should complete each week. Use a behavior chart to keep up with her work. If you want to reward her for a job well done, incorporate that into the chart as well.
• Consider the age of the child-The behavior chart should be age appropriate. For example, young children will love looking at a behavior chart decorated with their favorite TV or Disney characters. They'll respond positively to colorful stickers, pictures, etc. that are placed on the chart. Older children will be less interested in what the chart looks like and more interested in what a positive completion of the chart means for them. Will there be rewards, such as staying up later, a new video game rental, or a trip to the mall?
• Behavior charts and grades-Your child's academic performance can also be tracked on a behavior chart. Although of course he will receive report cards after each grading period, keeping a daily or weekly chart can help students who are struggling academically. Sometimes, simply charting the completion of homework and the success of a particular test can keep kids on track and change their attitude toward school.

If you plan on using behavior charts in your home or even in your classroom, keep them in a prominent place so that kids can see the progress they make each week. Encourage them to improve on each area, and use lots of praise when they do. Don't forget to point out that a failure in a particular area doesn't have to be permanent, and remind them that they can always try again. Encouragement and positive reinforcement are important to a child's success both at home and at school.

There are numerous printable behavior charts available on the Internet, and many of these are free. Check out the following sites to see if any of these charts will work for you and your child.

• Free Printable Behavior Charts-This is an excellent site with lots of free behavior charts for you to print. The charts are organized by ages as well, and you can also find charts geared toward individual behaviors, such as potty training, pet care, teeth care, morning routines, etc.
• Chart Jungle-This is another great site full of printable charts. Specific charts include topics like "Stop Whining" and "Stay in Seat".
• Chore Charts-Chore charts can encourage positive behavior as well, and this site has numerous charts for you to use.
• Parents-in-a-Pickle-The name of this site says it all, so check out the free charts that are available here.

Obviously, behavior charts can't work miracles, but they are great to use as positive reinforcement tools for your child's behavior.

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