A while ago we realized that rewarding good behaviors went a long way with our small children. So after I had yet another exhausting morning trying to get out the door on time, I sat down to make a habit tracker. It’s nothing wildly inventive, but it works for us. I love using paper and pen to check off completed items on my own to do list. I just needed something more visual for the kids, since they are 2 years old and 5 years old.
Basically, I created a visual chart that reminds our kids what they need to do each morning.
Our old routine was to let them come downstairs in pajamas, play for a little while, and then get started with breakfast and everything else. That meant they would put off breakfast as long as possible (because they were playing). And then I’d be trying to catch up to the clock, repeating myself over and over that we needed to leave. But we still were late for school often. Not a huge deal at this age, but it’s not a habit I wanted to keep!
Creating new habits with an easy kid-friendly tracker
The new routine has both kids in “day clothes” before coming downstairs. There is no playing until they have gotten dressed and eaten breakfast. If they do those two things quickly, they have some time for playing before heading out the door.
Our son only goes to nursery school a couple days a week, but I still need him ready to leave because he comes with me for school drop off. (He also loves to do what his big sister is doing, so it’s almost easier to have both kids doing the same habit tracker at the same time!)
Our habit tracker is built for Monday to Thursday, since we don’t have school on Fridays right now. The way this tracker works is that each square is a task the kids have to complete. Once they do, they can fill in the circle with a marker. The tracker is just on white paper. I placed it in a plastic bag because you can then just wipe off the washable marker at the end of the week instead of having to make a new sheet each week.
Habit tracker rewards for young kids
At the end of the day, if all of their circles are filled in, they can choose a family game to play. (Because what else do little kids love more than their parents’ attention??)
You can choose rewards based on what your family life is like. Maybe you say each circle is worth 10 minutes of TV time, maybe it means a special dessert, who knows. If your kids are a little older you can make the reward dependent on the entire week. But with a 2 year old, rewards need to be fairly immediate. Hence their being able to fill in the circle themselves (you could also do removable stickers!), plus a reward that day.
Habit trackers you can buy
If you’re like “I love a DIY but I just want to buy something pre-made,” here are some cute options I found.
I hope this habit tracker for little kids helps your family! If you decide to use the idea, I’d love for you to share with me! Leave a comment or tag me on social media!
BEFORE YOU GO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SEE:
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Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair Review
10 Best Outdoor Toys For Kids Under 5
The Best Blackout Curtains for Kids’ Rooms
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