Before we get in to this post, i’m in a mood and just wanted to give a fair warning:

In previous posts (here, and here), I have written about the Token Economy System and how it can be a game-changer when implemented correctly and used as a method to provide reinforcement to children, both with and without developmental disabilities. Token systems are a huge part of my “ABA Toolkit” and they are typically what I reach for first when parents ask me for a quick and easy way to improve behavior.

Token system, sticker chart, reward chart, call it what you want, all of these systems have the same roots and can be implemented with varying degrees of success. This post is going to help you understand the methodology behind the system, how to implement it, and how to troubleshoot when things don’t work exactly right.

What is a token economy system?

The token economy mimics the world economy and teaches our children about the way the world works by helping them to understand that when they complete a task, or engage in a specific behavior, they can earn tokens they can later exchange for goods and services, much like the way the world economy works. We go to work so we can get tokens (money), and then we exchange those tokens for goods and services (a place to live, food to eat, clothes to wear, tickets to Disneyland, etc.). By artificially inserting a token system we can clearly communicate the behavior we want our children to engage in and what behavior we don’t.

What does a token system look like?

Token systems for children can be made to look like anything and everything! I have been known to whip out a napkin in a restaurant, draw 5 boxes on it to get a child to finish their meal before getting dessert.

A more permanent (and pretty) solution is a laminated board decorated with their favorite stickers or characters and 5 Velcro dots, tokens can be pictures of their favorite cartoon characters. Lastly, and something I’m kicking myself that I didn’t invent is a system my daughter received for Christmas this year: the KudoBanz. This is a bracelet your child can wear and once they earn 3 Kudos they unlock a spinning prize wheel on their accompanying app. This system is genius, can be used on the go, and is incredibly easy to use. KudoBanz is not a sponsor of this post, I’m just in a jealous state of awe at how incredible this idea is, and it has been very successful in my home!

How to introduce a token system

Rules/Expectations-

A set of positively-stated behavioral expectations (i.e. “rules”) should be developed, posted, taught, and reinforced. The rules should be reviewed frequently through the day. Positively stated rules specify what behavior you want your child to demonstrate (e.g. “Keep hands to yourself”, “get yourself dressed”, “get in the car on time”) rather than what you don’t want them to do (e.g. “Don’t hit”, “No yelling”)

These rules should be stated at least once per day (first thing in the morning, or when they have earned a break) and briefly before transitioning from one location to another “Keep your hands to yourself on the playground”.

Explain the behavioral expectations very clearly to your child, and how the system is going to work

Boys, any time I see you doing something kind for your brother, you’re going to earn a token. When you get 5 tokens you get a bag of fruit snacks! Kind things include sharing a toy, letting them pick which cartoon you’re going to watch, or letting them go first.

Provide choices-

Whenever possible, provide your child with choices among items or activities. For example, you can offer a choice of which chair they want to sit in, if they would like to use a pen or pencil, what color crayon they would like to use, which book they wants to read, the number of breaks, and/or the number of minutes a break should be.

“Colby you earned a break! Would you like the break to be for 4 minutes or for 5?” This seems insignificant but allows Colby to exercise some control over his day and may help with overall compliance.

Choose a bank of reinforcers and have them at the ready

Reinforcers should be something super valuable to your child, and ideally something they only get access to when they have earned all 5 tokens.
Immediacy is key, try to deliver the reinforcement immediately after the 5th token is earned.

Set up the token board in an easily viewable location in your house, the fridge is a great place!

Initially, try to catch your child being good, and give them a token any time you see them engage in a desired behavior, or tell them they’re doing a great job not engaging in a problem behavior and give them a token. Access to reinforcement early and often is the name of the game when teaching the token system. The first time you run through the system, they should have earned all 5 tokens within the hour, so they understand clearly how amazing this new system is and how awesome it is to turn the tokens in for treats.

What to do when things fall off the rails:

Remain calm. Kids pick up on our energy and can read us like a book. Keep a neutral face and tone of voice and never plead or beg. Remind of previously established contingencies (i.e., remember, you’re working for a toy!” or “that’s not how you earn a transformer”, “you only have 1 transformer left and then you get your donut!) and give options. (“Do you need some space” “Tell me when you’re ready to be a good friend and you can re-join the group”)

Common difficulties with token systems:

“It used to work so well; it doesn’t work anymore!”

Kids are fickle creatures (I don’t need to tell you that, if you’ve made it this far into this blog post, you know that very well already). A strategy that works one day may not work as well the next day. The reinforcer that worked yesterday definitely won’t work today, that would be like asking me to work for an Oreo right after I finished a pack of Oreos (I’d probably work for a glass of milk instead!). Sometimes we need to think on our feet and adapt with what we have, and what our children are interested in. Sometimes this is fixed as easily as creating a new token board with new tokens or allowing them to work for 3 tokens that day instead of the full 5.

“My kid now asks for a token after doing any little thing they think is deserving of a token”

If this is the case, congratulations! Your kid understands the token system enough to start gaming you! This is common, and when this happens, or when you suspect it’s going to happen, move to intermittent reinforcement. Instead of giving a token for every good behavior you catch, give it every 2 or 3 or 6 times they engage in the behavior. This way they never know when the token is coming, and they are more likely to be on their best behavior more often. For more information on intermittent reinforcement and why it’s magic, see my previous blog post on the subject.

Token systems are a quick and effective strategy for managing your child’s behavior and teaching them about the world economy and that things have value. As they get older you can even start to assign token values to their favorite items. Want some gummy bears? That’s going to cost you 5 tokens. Ice cream? Hand over 10, buddy. New toy? Oh boy, you’d better work hard and give me 20 tokens for that.

There are many great things about token systems, and they can work like magic when implemented correctly, but there are many ways things can go wrong, and a token system can become ineffective easily. As always, if you’ve found that the system isn’t working anymore, or you’re having trouble getting one up and running, or just need help creating one for you child, I’m here to help!

Ok one more…

Token Economy Systems