How to Use a Token Board
Here are simple, direct instructions on how to use a Token Board or Reward System:
Token boards can be applied to so many tasks and situations. The point of the token board is to provide a visual of when somethin is to end. The reward increases the behavior (task or activity to be completed) and motivates your child. Token boards are meant to be faded overtime.
Instructions
✔️ Identify the task to be completed:
Getting Dressed
Shopping
Completing Homework
Eating Meal
Prizes or rewards or also known as reinforcers. Reinforcers are delivered after a behavior, increasing the likelihood of the behavior occurring again. We all operate on reinforcers or rewards.
I go to work (behavior) to get paid (reinforcer).
Putting a sticker (reinforcer) after a child completes homework (behavior).
**Remember, the child does not receive a sticker for the rest of their lives. Reinforcers change overtime and blend in socially. **
✔️ Identify what is to be earned when all tokens are received (reward or reinforcer):
Choose something that they do not have access to frequently. This makes the item or activity more desirable and motivating.
Depending on the child’s developmental age and abilities, when the earned activity/item is received is important. When first using the token board, delivery should be immediately after earning the last token. Gradually, the time can be increased and eventually the token system can be faded as well.
✔️Identify how many tokens are to be earned to received the reinforcer or reward.
5 or 10 token boards are the most common you will see. Starting low, with 5, see if your child can tolerate earning that many tokens before earning the reward. If they struggle with 5, have them earn one token, by removing only one from the board (leaving the remainder). This will ‘pair’ the token with the reward, and they will establish the connection. Gradually increase the number of tokens to be earned.
✔️Apply the task to the token board and token delivery:
Using the example of getting dressed, have the child earn a token after putting on each garment of clothing.
Puts on underwear (with or without help). “Great job!” Here, put this token on your board.’
Puts on shirt. “Excellent! Here is a token. Put it on your board. Look! Only one left to earn!”
Puts on pants. ‘You did it (giving them last token)! You got dressed and earned all your tokens. You earned _______!’ Provide reward immediately after.
Do not stress over the reward! We all earn something for everything we do. It is the nature of behavior. No one goes to work without being paid. If you do and you are volunteering, you are motivated by the wonderful feeling of giving back.
Not everyone is motivated by the same things. But applying rewards, reinforcers or motivators in the correct sequence can teach your child in many ways. As a parent, you have the capability to conquer what seems to be the smallest yet most challenging tasks with your child.
Visit us at our store for more resources or contact us for more information!
