DEFINING TYPES OF BEHAVIORS

There are three types of behaviors to create in setting up the Point Sheet: Expected, Extra, and Other Behaviors.

Expected Behaviors

Expected Behaviors are behaviors that are expected on any day of the week. A behavior would be considered an Expected Behavior if it is expected from one day of the week to all seven days. Since many Expected Behaviors are common among family members, there is a list of suggested Expected Behaviors that can be created from when setting up the Point Sheet. Using suggested Expected Behaviors is optional. If some suggested behaviors are used you should also set up your family’s expectations that are not listed under the suggested behaviors. Expected Behaviors will be created as Extra Behaviors by not setting up any days expected. Understanding the concepts of Expected Behaviors is more complex than the other two behavior types, because their point value determines other aspects in the system. The Level Chart's Points Needed at each level is determined by how many Expected Behaviors a member has and their point values. Each time a change is made to an Expected Behavior, it will also change the Points Needed and Percent Needed in a member's Level Chart. More information on these aspects they will be further covered in the Level Chart Concepts.

Extra Behaviors

Extra Behaviors are positive behaviors that are strictly optional. These behaviors can help compensate for the loss of points in the program from both not performing Expected Behaviors and engaging in Other Behaviors. There is a list of suggested Extra Behaviors that can be selected when setting up the Point Sheet. You can also add your own family’s Extra Behaviors. When setting up Extra Behaviors, there will be an option to check any days the behaviors are expected. If any days are checked, the behavior will now be set up under Expected Behaviors.

Other Behaviors

Other Behaviors are negative behaviors that are always unacceptable in the family. Other Behaviors will always have a negative point value. Since they are never acceptable, checking ‘Days expected’ will never apply. There is also a suggested list of Negative Behaviors. However, families can have their own sets of unacceptable behaviors that can be added while setting up the Point Sheet.

Parenting Tip: Expected Behaviors should include things the child is already doing so they know they can easily earn some points. Expected Behaviors should always be positive so that we are expecting good things from our children. The absence of negative behavior like “no arguing" should be placed under 'Other Behaviors' with a description like "Arguing with Parent". With a negative point value, a child who continues to argue will lose more and more points each time. Expectations are clear; 'Other Behaviors' are unacceptable.