Episode 136: The Tickets…A Quick Q & A
What You’ll Learn
On this episode, we’re back with our favorite Board Certified Behavioral Analyst—Renee Amato— to talk ALL things tickets! If you’re new to us…or haven’t followed along on IG…the tickets are a system Brittany developed (along with input from her children and husband) to bring a little fun into their homeschool!
Tickets 101 (00:54)
Nothing could have prepared us for the buzz and interest caused by the tickets! Brittany’s mom did something similar when she was young, and the idea was just really fun! So, she bought a roll of tickets from Amazon, and her kids were super stoked about earning a ticket for each item they complete on their clipboards and spiral notebooks.
It ALL began with the family Snack Shop (which bloomed from a math lesson a few years ago). Each child would take turns running the shop, taking orders, and giving correct change (HUGE life lesson). Over the years, the idea has grown, changed, and morphed based on family input and voting. To be clear…the children are NOT earning snacks—fruits and vegetables are ALWAYS available—but the snacky-snacks available in the shop are the ‘extra’ little treats that kids LOVE (of course) because they aren’t particularly healthy.
The tickets are a reinforcer for certain behaviors. They are not payment. The beautiful thing is, the kids have input on what they get to earn with their tickets (again, through family communication and voting) AND they can get excited about school in some of the toughest months (for EVERY type of schooler).
On the clipboards, or in the spiral notebooks, the kids complete a task and each task completed earns a ticket. All the tickets are divvied out once a week for older kids and daily for younger kids.
Tickets can be turned in at mid-day, or saved for larger items.
Turning in the Tickets (06:15)
Tickets can be turned in at mid-day, or saved for larger items.
Prizes are voted on as a family and currently include…
Special treats
Game time
Later bedtimes
**Shopping day bonuses
Skip one subject
Doughnut mini-date
Smoothie mini-date
Movie date (with mom & dad)
**A shopping day bonus is when kids can add an extra item to the grocery order OR choose another stop! They can go in, shop (this is a great opportunity to learn to speak to a cashier/manager, make eye contact with adults, use a check-out…etc. Older children are allowed to go into stores and purchase items on their own (practice for adulting).
Adulting Skills (13:59)
For now (remember…this is homeschool and REAL humans are being educated) the tickets are working fabulously! There are quick wins for the youngest kids and larger options for the older kids to work towards.
These skills ARE transferrable to adulthood because there are always opportunities to spend your hard-earned money on little things here and there. BUT, if you can master delayed gratification, you can make your money work for you and enjoy larger purchases (like vehicles, vacations, and even homes…without credit lines, loans, or mortgages).
Keeping Track of the Tickets (15:22)
Kids are kids, and at about 7 years old, you *might see kids lying or taking things without permission. This is normal…and it’s important to watch…but it doesn’t mean that your child is destined for prison. As parents though, we don’t want to set our kids up to fail (entrapment isn’t helpful at these ages).
With all this in mind, Brittany puts initials on the tickets for each child. Because children tend to carry their treasures around (and often leave them in random places), she also keeps the ticket jars in a central location where they are easily accessible (and visible) to everyone.
The Perspective of a Behavior Analyst (20:54)
Initially, when we’re young, we have primary reinforcers like food and sleep and bring warm. You don’t need to earn those things, they’re just there.
As you get older, you have a learning ability to assign value to things. The tickets themselves have no actual value, BUT they are a condition reinforcer, but it can be used in exchange for something that IS valuable. This can teach a work ethic, it can teach delayed gratification, and let’s be honest…school isn’t always fun, so pairing it with something that is motivating (like tickets) is a great idea.
Brittany is seeing the fruits of this in real-time (her kids are doing their work) and the tickets are a bridge to get them there.
Invitation (23:16)
Before we go, there are a few items in the shop that are pretty new!
The Homeschool Plan Like a Mother Guide is great for when you’re planning your homeschool year. Excellent questions and prompts will get you to think about the ‘Why” behind what you’re doing. Whatever your reasons for homeschooling, this will help you stay organized and aligned. Keep track of spending, curriculum purchases, student and parent narratives…the list goes on! These prompts and reflections can help you get out of the weeds and SEE the progress you’re making in your homeschool!
We ALSO have the editable clipboard template you can use daily in your homeschool. This can give even the youngest kids some independence and autonomy in their day!
And remember sweet momma…
You are doing beautiful work!
Links from This Podcast
You can find the Editable Clipboard Template in the shop!
The Homeschool Ticket System Guides and Templates are available for purchase now!
