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Looking for a rewards and consequences chart to provide to clients and their families?
This article provides an overview of reward therapy (positive reinforcement), how to encourage desired behaviors, different rewards and consequences charts, and examples of using positive reinforcement strategies with clients and families.
We’ve included a free downloadable rewards and consequences worksheet to save to your electronic health record (EHR) and use in your practice.
What is reward therapy?
Reward therapy is a behavioral approach to positively reinforcing desired behaviors or habits.
Based on the principles of operant conditioning, reward therapy works on the theory that behaviors followed by positive outcomes, like rewards, are more likely to be repeated.
Positive reinforcement strategies have many benefits, including:
Promotes self-regulation
Increases motivation
Improves self-esteem
Builds positive behavioral patterns
Supports goal-setting and achievement
Strengthens family relationships and functioning
Reward and consequences charts can be used in various ways, such as:
At home, in parent-child interactions, to reinforce positive behaviors, or to create positive habits, like sleep routines
In school settings, as part of classroom management
What is a rewards and consequences chart?
A rewards and consequences chart or system also uses a structured reward system to encourage desirable behaviors positively.
The key difference is that rewards and consequences worksheets may also include negative consequences, like removing privileges or using time-out, to reduce unwanted behaviors—whereas a reward system focuses exclusively on reinforcing positive behaviors.
A rewards system is rooted in building motivation and strengths-based approaches. In contrast, a consequences system can be viewed as a discipline or punishment promoting accountability. It may also include positive reinforcement.
Rewards and consequences charts and systems are used in schools, parenting, and behavior modification.
Steps to create a reward and consequences chart or system
Identify target behaviors to reward: These are the desired and age-appropriate behaviors. Specific behaviors might include completing a chore, using coping skills, or doing something when a parent asks something like, “Please share your toys with your sibling.”
Choose meaningful rewards: Find a reward that the child wants to earn and will enjoy. These rewards might be tangible, such as tokens or stickers, or they may be praise or certain privileges.
Reinforce the behavior: Give a reward as soon as the behavior is observed to reinforce the link between action and reward.
Track progress: Use sticker charts, point systems, rewards, and behavior charts.
Explain the reward system: For it to work, children need to understand how the rewards and consequences chart works and exactly what they need to do to earn the reward. Using a chart will allow you to illustrate the system and allow children to track their own progress.
Gradually change the behavior or phase out the unwanted behavior: Once the desired behavior is consistently maintained, phase out the program or replace it with another desired behavior.
Types of rewards and consequences charts
There are several types of rewards and consequences worksheets, including:
Sticker or star-based charts
These systems are best suited for young children. They use stickers or gold stars to indicate when a task or desired behavior is completed.
Behavior charts
Suited for kids with multiple goals or desired routines, these behavior charts track desired behaviors or habits over a week, like chores, homework, and brushing teeth.
Token economy charts
Best suited to classrooms or families, token economy charts are when tokens are awarded for desired behaviors. Tokens can be cashed in for rewards.
Reward and consequences charts
Reward and consequences charts or actions and consequences worksheets use rewards to reinforce positive behaviors and include negative consequences, like losing screen time, for not completing a task or misbehaving.
Examples of rewards
Positive reinforcement rewards may include:
Social rewards: Praise, high-fives, extra time with a caregiver, or affection.
Natural rewards: Academic achievement, like good grades, or securing a project or sale at work.
Tangible rewards: Toys, treats, small prizes, money, or bonuses.
Activity-related rewards: Extra screen time, playing games, reading a story, or choosing a family or solo activity.
Token-based rewards: Earning points or tokens that count towards a bigger reward.
Negative consequences as part of the accepting consequences worksheet include:
Losing 10 minutes of screen time
Reminders to use specific language or act with a particular value, like showing kindness
Missing out on an activity
Loss of tokens
Extra task to complete
Earlier bedtime
Taking a break or timeout to reset
Cool-down conversation about boundaries or behaviors
How to use the rewards and consequences worksheet
You can download and use the rewards and consequences chart in several ways.
For instance, print or screen share the rewards and consequences chart and use it as a session psychoeducational prompt.
Give the rewards and consequences worksheet to the client or family to remind them of what you discussed during therapy.
Therapists can also ask the client's family to reflect on the rewards and consequences worksheet between sessions, customize their rewards and consequences chart, and report their progress at their next therapy appointment.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Tips for Using Rewards.
Jonker, N. C., Timmerman, M. E., & de Jong, P. J. (2022). The reward and punishment responsivity and motivation questionnaire (RPRM-Q): A stimulus-independent self-report measure of reward and punishment sensitivity that differentiates between responsivity and motivation. Frontiers in psychology.
Kubanek, J., Snyder, L. H., & Abrams, R. A. (2015). Reward and punishment act as distinct factors in guiding behavior. Cognition.
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