Toddler Behavior Charts: Helpful Tool or Waste of Time?

Raising a toddler is not an easy task ‒ but you don’t need us to tell you that.

We love them and the weird, wonderful way their minds work as they grow into their own person, but between impulsive behaviors and tantrums, it can feel… overwhelming at times.

Toddler behavior charts can be a great way to help your child learn new behaviors and to encourage them to continue behaving positively.

They can also help you stay on track and to make sure that you’re consistent with your praise and rewards.

But they don’t work for every toddler ‒ it’s all about finding what works for you.

That’s why we’ve gathered all there is to know about toddler behavior charts, so you can decide what’s best for your family.

So give yourself a gold star and let’s go!

In this article: 📝

What is a toddler behavior chart?

A behavior chart is a simple system that can help you track your toddler’s behavior and encourage them to engage in desired and positive actions.

Here’s how they work:

• Decide on the behaviors you want to encourage. What do you want your toddler to do more of? For example, you might want them to pick up their toys, brush their teeth, or go to bed without a fight.
  
• Create a chart. You can make your own chart, or you can find one online. The chart should have a list of the behaviors you want to encourage, and a space for your toddler to earn stickers or check marks.
  
• Start tracking! Every time your toddler engages in one of the desired behaviors, give them a sticker or a check mark.
  
• Reward your toddler when they reach a goal. When your toddler has earned a certain number of stickers or check marks, reward them. The reward should be something that they really want, like a special toy, a trip to the park, or their favorite dessert.

Behavior charts can be a great way to help your toddler learn new behaviors and to encourage them to continue behaving positively.

They can also help you stay on track and to make sure that you’re consistent with your praise and rewards.

Types of toddler behavior charts

Before you go out and buy the first behavior chart you see, we’ve got a rundown of the different types of toddler behavior charts to choose from.

So you can choose the one that’s right for your child, your parenting style, and what types of behavior you want to encourage:

Sticker charts

The most common and often seen as the simplest and most effective type of toddler behavior chart.

Sticker behavior charts give toddlers a visual representation of their behavior, so they can see how they’re doing more tangibly.

To use a sticker behavior chart with your toddler, you’ll need to start by identifying the behaviors you want to work on.

When your toddler correctly displays that behavior, you can give them a sticker on their chart ‒ simple as that!

Color chart

Got a toddler who’s a little more visual?

If so, a color toddler behavior chart might be the perfect solution!

Color behavior charts are a great way to encourage positive behavior in toddlers who can understand cause and effect.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a color toddler behavior chart:

• Create a chart with six or seven different colored strips of paper. The middle color should be labeled “Ready to Listen.” A traffic light system can work here ‒ dark green, light green, amber, pink, and red.
  
• Put your toddler’s name on a clip or a magnet (make sure the magnet won’t come off and that it’s not a choking hazard). They can have fun crafting it themselves!
  
• Start each day by placing your toddler’s clip on the “Ready to Listen” color in the middle of the chart.
  
• Throughout the day, move your toddler’s clip up or down the chart based on their behavior.
  
• At the end of the day, reward your toddler based on where their clip is on the chart.
  
• The colors above the middle could be labeled “Good Day”. “Great Day”. and “Outstanding Day.” The colors below the middle could be labeled “Consequence” or “Take a Break to Think”.

It takes a little more explaining and set-up than a simple sticker behavior chart, but color behavior charts can be a fun and engaging way to encourage positive behavior in toddlers.

And, because they’re based on cause and effect, they can also help your toddler learn a valuable new skill!

Routines Chart

Routine charts are a great way to help toddlers learn and complete their daily routines.

To use a routines chart, simply:

• Create a chart with a list of the routines you want your toddler to complete. This could include things like getting dressed, brushing their teeth, or washing their hands after going to the bathroom.
  
• Give your toddler a sticker or star every time they complete a routine independently (or with a reasonable amount of help).
  
• Once your toddler has earned a certain number of stickers, reward them with something they really want, like a special toy, a trip to the park, or their favorite dessert.

How to choose what to include on a toddler behavior chart

Once you’ve decided which type of toddler behavior chart you’d like to use, next up is to decide exactly what you want to include on the chart.

When you’re first starting out, it’s important to help your toddler experience success.

You want to make sure they’re motivated to keep using the chart, and the best way to do that is to make it easy for them to understand how they can earn rewards.

So, when you’re first creating your chart, start small.

Only choose one or two behaviors to focus on.

And, make sure those behaviors are things that your toddler is already doing at least some of the time.

For example, if you want your toddler to start picking up their toys more often, you could create a chart with two columns: “Picked up toys” and “Didn’t pick up toys.”

Every time your toddler picks up their toys, give them a sticker or a point.

Once they’ve earned a certain number of stickers or points, they can earn a reward, like a special toy or a trip to the park.

If you overwhelm your toddler by including too many behaviors on the chart, they’re less likely to succeed.

And, if they don’t succeed, they’re less likely to want to keep using the chart.

So start small and focus on helping your toddler get their reward.

Once they’ve had a few successes, you can start to add more behaviors to the chart.

And, remember, behavior charts are a tool.

They’re not a magic bullet.

But, if you use them correctly, they can be a really effective way to encourage positive behavior and help your toddler learn new skills.

Tips for using a toddler behavior chart

• Set your toddler up for success. Before you start using the chart, make sure your toddler understands what it is and how it works. Be very specific about the behaviors you are looking for and the ways they can earn a reward.
  
• Get their input. Ask your toddler what kind of rewards they want. While older kids may be able to work towards a multi-day goal, it will be best to do smaller, daily rewards with toddlers.
• Be consistent. Once you’ve started using the chart, keep going! When your toddler exhibits one of the behaviors you’re working on, give them praise and award them a sticker immediately. Say something like, “I’m so proud of how you picked up all your toys. Here’s a sticker for your chart.” This way, your toddler won’t have any confusion as to what they did to earn the sticker.
  
• Make it visual. Toddlers learn best through visuals, so make sure your chart is colorful and easy to understand.
  
• Keep it short and sweet. Too many behaviors on the chart can be overwhelming and hard to remember in one go, so focus on a few key behaviors at a time.
  
• Be positive. Focus on rewarding good behavior, rather than punishing bad behavior.
  
• Be patient. It takes time for toddlers to learn new behaviors, so be patient and consistent with the chart.
  
• Have fun! Behavior charts can be a great way to improve your toddler’s behavior. They can be a positive way to help your toddler learn which behaviors are acceptable and which aren’t. So get creative and have fun with it!

Do behavior charts work for toddlers?

Honestly, it depends.

Some people swear by them, while others think they’re a waste of time.

Toddler behavior charts can be a great way to encourage positive behavior in young kids.

They’re a visual way to track progress, and they can help toddlers learn to associate good behavior with rewards.

But here’s the thing: there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching toddlers which behaviors you want to encourage.

What works for one toddler might not work for another.

So you do whatever you think works best for you and your family.

It’s entirely your choice, mama.