Token boards are a fantastic tool for educators seeking a fun and effective method to reinforce desired behaviors in their students. Inclusive, they are also a great way to build a positive classroom environment. Token boards are an evidence-based and proven system for rewarding appropriate behaviors and their usage has extensive support in the research literature. The magic lies in the simple principle that when a behavior is positively reinforced, it is more likely to be repeated.
Let’s explore what makes token boards such a valuable asset in creating engaged, motivated, and thriving classrooms.
Pairing Praise With Tokens: A Winning Combination
Pairing “praise” with each “token” creates a powerful synergy that can transform your classroom dynamics. When students receive tokens for exhibiting desired behaviors and, simultaneously, receive praise, the impact is profound. The combination of tangible rewards and verbal acknowledgment enhances motivation and encourages students to consistently demonstrate positive behaviors.
How To Use A Token Board
Using a token board is a straightforward yet highly effective process. Students select a reward from a choice board that they wish to work towards, and every time they display the desired behavior, they earn a token. The behaviors you choose to reinforce can include in-seat behaviors, sharing, waiting, and mastering new skills.
Token boards operate on the principles of primary (food/drink items) and secondary or conditioned reinforcers (toys, money, activities). By pairing a primary reinforcer (like a drink) with a secondary reinforcer (the token), the likelihood of the secondary reinforcer increasing the behavior is significantly heightened.
Consistency Is Key
Implementing a token system in the classroom is not a daunting task. The key lies in consistency, and a token board acts as a visual aid to help you stay consistent and accountable. Each time a student earns a token and places it on the board, it serves as a reminder for you to praise the student for the exhibited behavior. This consistent reinforcement builds a positive association, making praise itself a secondary reinforcer.
You can get creative with your token boards and you can use them in a multitude of ways. Below is an example for teaching a targeted skill. The student is rewarded for responding correctly in discrete trial sessions.
Token boards offer a strong visual tool that provides visual aids and support for students. They create a tangible representation of progress, making the reinforcement process more tangible and reinforcing for the students.
Creative Applications of Token Boards
One of the advantages of token boards is their versatility. You can get creative and use them in various ways to cater to different needs in your classroom. For example, you can employ token boards to teach targeted skills. In discrete trial sessions, students can be rewarded for responding correctly, fostering a positive learning environment.
Token boards can also be used to manage classroom rules, table work rules, or small group rules during routine activities. An example, the token board below monitors four in-seat behaviors that you may want your students to master.
Complete Token Board Starter Set
To simplify the implementation of token boards, I’ve created a comprehensive starter set. This set includes six “I Am Working For” token boards in different colors for each student, suitable for various class sizes. It features 5-token and 10-token boards for both classroom and targeted behaviors, ensuring flexibility for different reinforcement needs.
The set also comprises 32 primary and secondary reinforcements, two templates for reinforcement storage, and a variety of stars and emoji symbols to use as tokens. Additionally, ink-saver versions of token boards are included for practicality and resource efficiency.
In summary, token boards offer a dynamic and visually engaging method to reinforce positive behaviors in the classroom. By incorporating praise, maintaining consistency, and utilizing creative applications, you can create a positive and motivating learning environment for your students in a fun and effective way.
What Educators Are Saying
I put this on a clipboard for one of my students. It worked out really well and very easy to make / use.
— Nicole F.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Additional Resources and Materials
I am so happy that you visited my site and read through this article. If you need more behavior support materials, you may want to grab this First-Then board freebie. It’s a great addition to your classroom management tools.
The TPT marketplace is a free website for everyone. There are many free resources that you can download. Additionally, when you purchase an item, and leave feedback, you earn points that you can use to lower the cost of future purchases.
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