Rewards For Managing Sleep Problems

Key points about rewards for managing sleep problems

How can rewards help my child's behaviour?

Rewards can really motivate a child to improve their behaviour. They work best if given soon after the behaviour, not after a few days. After a couple of weeks, they may not work as well but by then you hope your child’s behaviour has improved!

How do I set up a reward system?

• choose a reward that your child will want
• keep rewards small and cheap (for example, stickers, stamps)
• make sure your child has a chance to get a few rewards over the first few days; for example, at first you may reward them for staying in their room at the start of the night
• once they can do this, you may then reward them only if they stay in their room the whole night
• give the reward as soon as possible after the good behaviour (for example, first thing in the morning)
• you can build on rewards (for example, 4 stickers = a lucky dip or a trip to the park or a choice of DVD after dinner)
• some parents buy cheap toys from the $2 shop and wrap these up for a lucky dip
• try not to make food the reward
• NEVER take away a reward – if your child has earned it, they keep it!

How do I make a star or sticker chart?

You can download free charts from the internet or you can make your own.

See more KidsHealth content on sleeping sound

Check out KidsHealth's section on sleeping sound