环球英语 — 433：Changing Behavior with Sticker Charts
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Adam Navis.
Voice 2
And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Do you know a child who likes to say, "No!"?
As any parent knows, children sometimes refuse to do what they are told. It can be very difficult for parents.
Parents get angry. Sometimes, children march around, lie on the ground, or even hit.
Voice 2
This is not much fun for either parents or children. But there is another way. Today's Spotlight is on sticker charts. Sticker charts are a good way to praise, punish and teach children. And they help parents stay calm and in control.
Voice 1
It is difficult to raise children. Even well-behaved children can cause problems. Parents want their children to grow into healthy, strong adults. But it is difficult to know the best way to do this. Parents may try punishment, shame, shouting or hitting. But these teach children to deal with their problems with violence. Is there a way to teach children about good behaviour without anger? One method that has worked for many people is called a sticker chart.
Voice 2
A chart is any piece of paper with a series of squares. The squares are where parents will place the stickers. Stickers are pieces of paper that will attach, or stick, to other things. They come in many shapes and sizes. They can be shaped like animals, faces, stars, or something else the child enjoys. When a child does something good, the parent attaches a sticker to the square on the chart. When the child has filled all the squares with stickers, she receive a prize.
Voice 1
Imagine a child leaves his playthings all over the house. His parents want him to clean up at the end of the day. They tell their son that every time he cleans up his things, they will put a sticker on the chart. They ask him what a good prize would be for filling the chart. He says, "I want to help cook a meal!" Everyone agrees that this is a good prize.
Voice 2
They put the chart where the child can see it. Their son still sometimes forgets to put away his things. So his parents simply do not award a sticker for that day. Their son wants more stickers so he begins to put away his things more often. And when he fills his chart, he gets to help cook a meal. It is a fun event the whole family can enjoy.
Voice 1
This may sound like a good idea. But before creating a sticker chart, Child Psychologist Erin N. King says there are a few things to remember.
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First, the goal should be stated positively. It is better to say, "John will keep his hands to himself." than, "John will not hit other children."
Voice 1
Also consider how long the child must behave. It is difficult for a child to behave all day. If she makes a mistake in the morning, she will have no reason to behave for the rest of the day.
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Finally, address only one or two behaviours at one time. Children are still learning how to control themselves. Too many goals can be too much to remember.
Voice 1
You must also consider the age and ability of each child. If a sticker chart is too complex, the child will not be able to understand it.
Voice 2
You may also consider letting the child create the sticker chart, choosing the goals and the prizes. This will help the child feel involved. It will increase the chance that the sticker chart will work to change behaviour.
Voice 1
Sticker charts have several advantages for parents. They do not require parents to shout at, hit, or shame the child. These teach children to solve problems with violence. When parents have a bad day, they may be less able to deal with children than on a good day. But sticker charts help stop parents from letting how they feel shape how they treat their children.
Voice 2
And children like sticker charts too. Children need structure they can depend on. This makes them to feel safe. Feeling safe is an important part of learning and growing. Sticker charts show children what parents expect of them. Sticker charts also show progress. Children can see what they have done. They can follow along as they work toward a goal.
Voice 1
Sticker charts do not always work. Some children are too young to understand them. A good age to begin is around three years old. As children grow, both their goals and prizes need to grow too. A sticker chart will not work if the goals are too simple or the prizes too small. Also, sticker charts do not work unless parents follow the rules. When a child does not earn a sticker, some parents will feel bad. They will give her one anyway. This teaches her that her parents will give her what she wants even if she does not behave.
Voice 2
And finally, some children simply do not react to sticker charts. They just do not seem to care. This can be difficult for parents. Especially when one child reacts well to sticker charts and another child does not. This shows that the relationship between parent and child is always more important than a tool like a sticker chart.
Voice 1
It is possible that children should behave because their parents tell them to. Or they should behave because it is the right thing to do. But children do not behave. They have to learn right behaviour. Being a parent means teaching your children. One mother, named Emily, did not think sticker charts would work for her. She says:
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"For the longest time, I was negative about sticker charts. There was no way my children would get into it. But here is the truth about sticker charts: they work. Really, really well. Not for all our children, but our middle child loves it. The sticker chart shows him exactly what we expect. He likes the little squares that he can fill in with stickers. He stands in front of the chart and counts his stickers. He counts how many his brother has. He counts how many he needs until the next prize. All it takes to help him behave is for me to look in the direction of the sticker chart."
