If you use Brave Bucks, your child will earn 1 (or more) Brave Buck ($) for each activity or homework that they do instead of getting a reward after each activity. This is what a Brave Buck looks like:
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Download Brave Bucks to print at home.
Your child can save Brave Bucks and use them to “buy” a reward from the rewards menu. Here are some steps that will help you successfully implement a Brave Bucks system:
- Decide what behaviors (LUNA activities, practice, and homework) will earn Brave Bucks. Again, make sure these behaviors are within your child’s ability – that is, these behaviors are something that your child can do. Also make sure to be very specific – specific enough that you and your child will know exactly when the behavior has been accomplished and the Brave Bucks have been earned.
- Decide how many Brave Bucks will be earned for the behavior (more on this in Week 4). Remember that it should be reflective of the activity and effort required.
- Make a Rewards Menu by listing rewards that your child will be able to “buy” with their Brave Bucks and determining how many Brave Bucks each one will cost. We recommend waiting for one or two weeks, after your child has earned some Brave Bucks, before figuring out how much each rewards costs. That way you have an idea of how quickly it will take them to earn different rewards. An example of Sally’s rewards menu follows.
- Make sure your child spends their brave bucks! Once your child has earned enough Brave Bucks to ‘buy’ something they want, they could exchange their Brave Bucks for a reward.
Feel free to get creative with the reward system! You are welcome to change Brave Bucks into stickers or tallies on a chart or any other tangible tokens to represent points (e.g., coins, marbles). Consider your child’s interests when coming up with your own “points”. For example, if you are using stickers or tallies on a chart, these could be in the theme of your child’s favorite show or activity. If you are using tokens, you could make them your child’s favorite color. This will help your child be engaged and motivated.
If you and your child decide to use the Brave Bucks, here are some tips on how to talk to your child and help them understand this system:
- Tell your child “You will get a Brave Buck every time you do [specific behavior related to activity or homework that is within the child’s ability].”
- Show them the rewards menu and give examples (e.g., “If you earn # Brave Bucks, you can get [reward]").
NOTE: When your child earns a Brave Buck, deliver it to them immediately and pair it with verbal praise. Make it clear that your child earns a Brave Buck because of a task they did “You have earned a Brave Buck because you [your child’s specific behavior]. Great Job!” “I am so proud you did [behavior]. That is definitely worth a Brave Buck!” Again, make sure this delivery is immediate, specific, and genuine.
However, some rewards may not be able to be delivered immediately. Consider this when you are making your reward menu and make sure to discuss with your child when they will receive reward. For instance, if your child has earned enough Brave Bucks for a trip to the zoo, you would need to discuss and plan with your child when you will go to the zoo. Hopefully soon after they earn it!
