Incentives for Motivating Children

Incentive Types to Choose From

Access to a new toy or favorite toy

New costume or outfit time

Video time

Special foods

Small toys that they can keep

Money (coins) that they can save to buy something special

How To Use Big Incentives:

For new toys or games, give the child access to it for 30 to 60 minutes. The child's access to the reward needs to be time-limited. That's the only way to maintain the incentive's value.
The toy reward continues to be owned and controlled by the parent. This is really important for major incentives such as smart devices. That way your child is really earning a privilege and not another possession.
These conditions allow the parent to deal with regression. For bad behavior, the item should be removed for 24 hours or longer. This needs to be spelled out for the child from the beginning.
For all incentives, try to give them immediately after the child meets the goal.

Tips For Getting Your Child To Do Something For The First Time:

Add some surprise to the rewards by making a treasure chest of wrapped prizes. You can also use slips of paper with different incentives written on them.
You can also reward breakthroughs or reaching big goals with a triple reward. An example would be taking your child to a fast food place. Then have your child pick a movie and stay up late to watch it. Ask your child for some ideas.

A Positive Relationship Is Essential For Incentives To Work:

Your child has to feel loved. Incentives will not work if you show anger.
Give lots of hugs and kisses to let your child know he is loved. This works better than words or praise.
Activities with you are also important. Examples are playing board games or playing catch. Reading, going to the park or on walks are other ideas.
Building a strong relationship with you is essential for your child's emotional well-being. It also makes your child more willing to follow your rules and requests.