Being brave star charts for children

BRAVE Star charts and anxious behaviour.

One helpful and fun way you can help with your child’s anxious behaviours is to set up a reward system using a star chart. Parents can use star charts to help with all sorts of behaviours, but you can also use them to increase your child’s BRAVE behaviour. If they have a specific fear that is making them anxious, then star charts will help them overcome this fear. Talking about it in terms of “brave behaviour” is a positive way to talk about controlling anxiety.

With star charts, children earn rewards for completing difficult behaviours. If your child doesn’t like sleeping alone, then reward their “brave” behaviour whenever they sleep by themselves. You can start with a reward for one night, then increase it to two nights, until they can sleep by themselves. It is very important to get star charts right, so follow these steps to make a great BRAVE star chart:

· Pick ONE brave behaviour for your child to practice · Choose stickers and rewards that are motivating for your child (you may need to change the stickers and rewards over time if necessary) · Draw up a star chart with your child · Explain to your child EXACTLY what they have to do to earn a sticker · Explain to your child EXACTLY how many stickers they need to receive their reward · Praise your child as SOON as they engage in the brave behaviour · Tell your child IMMEDIATELY that they have earned a sticker – and get them to put it on the chart as soon as possible · Once your child has learned the behaviour, gradually fade out the rewards. Make it harder over time for children to earn points and replace the reward with praise. REMEMBER, only fade out the rewards when children have learned to do the brave behaviours without needing any reward.

Star charts can encourage children to face their fears in a fun and positive way. If you feel like you child needs more support with their anxiety then please contact kmrcounselling for strategies and guidance.

Parents can use star charts to help with all sorts of behaviours

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