Reward {chart} in a Bottle

This week’s theme for the MeMeTales/PBS Kids Readathon is Character Development, and I am excited about my activity to go with the free eBooks: Reward {chart} in a Bottle. (To learn about and join the Readathon you can read more here.)

My blog’s most popular activity at this point is my patriotic craft Fireworks in a Bottle that I posted around Memorial Day. I’m excited about the plans I’ve heard of the fireworks bottles being made in hospitals, schools, and for special needs children over Independence Day. So this week, I’m going to expand on my idea for Fireworks in a Bottle. First, as a way of reinforcing the eBooks that we are reading on MeMeTales and second, well, you will just have to wait! (My sequel post: Fireworks in a Bottle as a Reward)

After reading the free MeMeTales books this week, I made a short list of some of the character traits emphasized in our reading. For the book Good Habits to Have by Jenny, I chose honesty and kindness out of the four traits mentioned. Ditto the Butterfly by Charutha emphasized trying new foods, so I broadened the theme to be “not picky”. And, StickFiggy and the Piggy-Monkey by Jane Marshall shows the need for respecting others and their property leading me to choose respect. After picking the character traits, I chose a sensory material to correspond with each trait. Trying to pick items that my kid would want to handle, I picked out glitter pom poms and stems, sequins, water beads, and glitter. I saved the glitter as a bonus motivator for difficult moments (like bedtime) since the glitter required more hands on help.

Note: The glitter sticks and pom poms will tear apart the water beads, so you may want to not use them if you want these bottles to last longer. FYI, just water beads with glitter (no water) is absolutely beautiful and fun. Just be sure to glue on the lid good, since water beads can be a choking hazard.

I also washed two plastic bottles to place the items in. The clear ones that fruit sparkling water is sold in are perfect. (Tip: If the label leaves sticky residue on the bottle, you can use a little baby oil to easily wipe it off.)

Then, I explained to my son that every time anyone in the home (including Mom and Dad) showed one of these character traits, he would be able to place the corresponding item in the bottles. I told him that on Wednesday night (Independence Day), I would have a special surprise for him and the baby to put into their bottles before we glued on the tops.

What I love about this reward system for a small child?

• Unlike a chart which can emphasize a goal of perfection (checking off all the boxes), filling sensory bottles is open ended. It doesn’t really matter how much or how little goes into the bottles.
• No competition. I chose that we would emphasize everyone’s good behavior as a whole rather than who behaves the best. Everyone participates, and the children will share the bottles on Wednesday. For some situations, you may want individual bottles, but the different materials should help lessen the comparison between kids.
• The bottles are fun. Unlike a chart, my kids will play with these bottles and enjoy them!
• We rewarded multiple character traits at a time just as an example, but this reward system is very flexible. Many small children might do better with one character trait and special item at a time used for a week or day.

I hope that you will check No Twiddle Twaddle at the end of the week and see how we made these bottles into a very special reward. (Hint: They will match the fireworks display that we will watch Wednesday night.)

What do you think of this reward system? Would it work for your child?

Bethany

P.S. You can join me online on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or Pinterest.

Disclaimer: I will be receiving a copy of the books featured for the Readathon as part of my participating by posting an activity each week.