Token boards are a simple, visual method of structuring and providing reinforcement for a certain behavior exhibited by a student. They can be used to teach children how to defer gratification and/ or to address specific behavior problems.
A token board has individual pictures or tokens that are held in place by Velcro. Usually, the number of tokens is determined by how long you believe you can defer reinforcement. This particular board is great because it can be customized to hold as many or as few tokens as the teacher sees fit. Many token boards include a place for the student’s “choice” of reinforcement represented by a picture (see Choice boards).
HOW TO USE THEM
Depending on the student, you might need to begin with a token board that is almost complete. If using a 5 token board, for example, preload the board with 4 tokens. When the student performs the desired behavior, place another token on the board and immediately reinforce the student. Always place the token on the board in view of the student and pair with verbal reinforcement each time. When you begin with an empty board, you will need to award the tokens much faster that you would normally do, so the student can get the point. When introducing the token board, the teacher may manipulate the board and tokens. As student understanding of the token board increases, students can be allowed to manipulate their board choices. However, the tokens should always be given out by an adult.
I select a preferred reinforcer or allow the student to choose one from the choice board. It is important that the reinforcer is motivating enough to keep the student engaged without immediate reinforcement. Each time the student completes a target task or behavior, I name the behavior (e.g. – “I love how you used finger spacing between your words”), then I place a token on the student’s token board.
When the token board is full, I give the student the identified reinforcer and reset the board to use again later. I usually time the fulfillment of the token board with the break time on our schedule. The last token is earned at the end of the activity. That way I make sure the students complete all of their work. If your learners need more frequent breaks, you may need to adjust. Token boards can be used for behavior and/or academics.
As part of the morning routine, students can be taught to set their token charts by picking an activity they want to get as a reinforcer during their break. They can earn tokens for academic work, as well as positive behavior.
STORAGE SOLUTION
For traveling students (e.g. resource students, Speech therapy, APE, etc), the tokens can be stored on the back of their cards for easy access and portability. Also storing the tokens on the back of the cards helps you keep all the same tokens together if your students are using different token boards (e.g. star board, smart phone, piggy bank, candy bag, etc).
TIPS
1. A token board will not work unless the student is really motivated to earn that reinforcer. In order to find out what a student, teachers should perform preference assessments by involving both the parents and the students. Favorite Things lists should be completed at the beginning of the year and revisited half way through the school year to maintain an up to date preference list. Items that work great and double as fine motor activities are Legos, Zoobles, Connectx, sensory toys, and arts and crafts activities. Other activities can be specific such as listening to music, playing in the gym, extra recess time, computer time, reading, drawing, engaging with favorite toys or board games.
2. The number of tasks must be appropriate for the learner. If they think the tasks are too hard or too long, the student won’t be motivated to work for the reinforcer, and the behavior issues will increase. Goals must be attainable to ensure the student has a chance to earn the reinforcement often.
3. Once a token is earned, DO NOT take it away. It can be very tempting sometimes to remove a token or more for inappropriate behavior, but a teacher should keep in mind that if students have already earned a token by putting a certain amount of time and effort into the task, they should not lose it. Instead a student should be offered an alternative appropriate behavior that will earn a new token.
Take a look at the Piggy Bank, Smart Phone, Candy Bag, Star Board, and Clip Board positive reinforcement token boards in my TPT store.