Marble Jar ~ A Grand Reward

"Little Ricky" did it!!  He filled his jar for using kind words when speaking with everyone.

I'm so proud of his effort!

He was really concerned that the entire jar wasn't filled to the top.  I tried to explain to him that he had individual goals and once he reached those goals, he would complete his jar.  That didn't matter to a six year old...he still wanted to see the jar filled up with marbles.  That's why it was nice that once he met his goal, the app displayed a full jar while people cheered in the background.

"Little Ricky" was so happy to see his jar full of marbles!

Once the jar is complete, the app paints it gold and it is like a trophy on the virtual wall.  We are using this as a reminder to continue using nice words.

Now that he has completed this goal, we are off to our Mommy/son date!  I'm sure I'll be waiting awhile until he decides where that will be (he's pretty indecisive!).  Until then, we are reveling in the fact that he has learned to speak more kindly to us....for now at least!


Pros for Marble Jar:

• Motivational for the kiddos
• Completely customizable goals
• Can be used on an individual goal basis or as a family
• Easy to use
  
• "Little Ricky" was excited to use my phone and iPad to put "marbles" in his jar.

Cons for Marble Jar:

• You have to log on each time you want to add marbles to the jars.  I know that it's handy so that kids can't go behind your back and put unearned marbles in their jars without your permission, but it's a bit of a nuisance for the parent.  
• "Little Ricky" has to use my iPhone or iPad....call me selfish, but it's mine!!
• Remembering to add to the jar.  I'm someone who needs something to practically hit me in the face to remember it, and even then I have a hard time.  So remembering to use it was difficult.

Check out the Marble Jar App at http://marblejar.winwinapps.com/ or you can get it for your iPhone or iPad on iTunes at  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marble-jar/id444902155?mt=8 .



Disclosure: This is part of a compensated post series sponsored by Marble Jar.  All opinions are unbiased and my own. 


Alexis

Marble Jar ~ An Update on Reinforcement

We have been using the Marble Jar app for about 3 weeks now.  "Little Ricky" has been working hard to fill his marble jar by using kind words towards all around him.  He really wants to have his "Mommy & Me" date and is already planning his time alone with me.


I have to admit, that at times it's hard to remember that we're working to fill a jar since it's not a constant visual for me.  I think I need something to practically slap me in the face in order to remember lately.  Thankfully I have a 6 year old with a great memory to pester me when he's doing something right.  I just wish he would remember to do the right thing all the time.  His progress isn't every day, but it sure is steady. 


"Little Ricky's" favorite part is picking which colored marble goes into the jar.  If it were up to him, he would be putting marbles in all the time! (I don't want his little slimy hands all over my phone all the time!)

I like that in a quick glance, you can see where he needs to work harder.  Is it really a stretch to know that he has a harder time speaking nicely to his brother?

Of course, not to be left out, "The Nag" wanted a jar of his own.  His biggest obstacle while being a 5 year old is to not whine...and of course, nag.  So those are the things that we chose for his jar.  The amount of marbles for his goal is smaller not just because he's smaller, but to be honest, I'm not sure his attention span is strong enough for that many marbles.  "The Nag" has a fair amount of marbles in his jar. 

Can you guess what his prize is?  Of course, a date with Mommy just like his big brother!

Have you tried Marble Jar yet?  If so, how is it going?  

There are two ways to get this free app for your iPhone or iPad:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marble-jar/id444902155?mt=8&uo=4
http://marblejar.winwinapps.com


Disclosure: This is part of a compensated post series sponsored by Marble Jar.  All opinions are unbiased and my own.

Alexis

Marble Jar ~ A Sane Way to Reinforce Positive Behaviors

As a teacher, I am used to positive reinforcement in the classroom.  How can I get the kids to show respect?  How can I help them to follow directions?  In the past, I have used a marble jar as a reinforcer for the entire class.  After filling up the jar, the class would get a reward of their choosing.

Now as a mom, I'm always searching for ways to use positive ways when dealing with my boys' behaviors.  Thanks to WinWinApps, there is now a virtual Marble Jar app for iPhone and iPad!  What a life saver!  Not only do my boys love playing with my iPhone and iPad, but now I won't have glass marbles rolling all over the house!

As I have mentioned before, "Little Ricky" has a tendency to talk back and he thinks that he "knows it all!"  As much as I want to scream and send him to his room, I know that this is not the way I should react when he does this, so I've been looking for alternatives.  We started with a behavior chart and it was effective.  Now that I have found Marble Jar, we are on the road to positive reinforcement!

"Little Ricky" and I sat down to create his goals for his jar.  We wanted to work on the words he chooses when expressing his feelings, both happy and upset.  Oh yeah, and we even personalized his jar with his picture.

Our next step is to decide what appropriate reward should come out of "filling" his marble jar.  Maybe a special "Mommy/Son date" to test out our manners!







Over the next few weeks, I will monitor "Little Ricky's" choices with his words and manners and he can put marbles in his "jar."  I will share our journey.

Hmm....maybe I will create a "Mommy Jar" to help with household chores!  My reward?  DESSERT!!

Now it's your turn...go to iTunes and download Marble Jar for FREE!  I look forward to hearing your ideas on how you plan to use Marble Jar.



Disclosure: This is part of a compensated post series sponsored by Marble Jar.  All opinions are unbiased and my own. 

Alexis