In our classroom of 3, 4, & 5 year old students, we have begun a token economy system for behavior management. Two charts were made. One showing the behaviors (with pictures and words) that make the teachers happy and earn the child tokens, and the other showing the behaviors that make the teachers sad and cost the child tokens ("money"). Each child has his/her own small "bank" that is attached to their name tag on the table with velcro. For each positive behavior, and at regularly planned intervals throughout the day, the child can earn a token. For each unexceptable behavior, the child "owes money" and must give up a token back to the teacher's bank.
At the end of the day, the children take all of the money out of their banks and count it. By looking at another chart, they can "buy" certain rewards depending upon how much "money" they have. Even with 1 token, they can "buy" a sticker. As the amount increases, the rewards increase in value. For example: With 5 tokens, you they can buy an ice pop or an extra 15 minutes on the playground!
This program is working so well! It really bothers the children when they have to give hard eardned money back to the teachers. And at the end of the day, they love to see what they can buy with their money. This is teaching several things. Cause and effect, how their behaviors effect how much money they make. Counting skills, when they count up their own money at the end of the day. And the value of money, when they see for a bigger reward, they need more money.
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