Token Economy

Select a target behavior.

Conceptualize the target behavior and decide how it will be presented to the student(s). Selling it to the student may be the most important step.

Write rules and place them where students can see them easily. If the entire class is not on the economy then consider the student’s privacy that will be on the economy. Review the rules as needed.

Select a token. Consider easy of awarding, noise, storage, ...

Establish reinforcers for which the tokens can be exchanged.

Develop a reward menu and put them where the are accessible for the student(s). The items on the menu should be discussed and desirable for the student(s). Students should not be permitted to negotiate for the cost of the reinforcer.

Implement the token economy. You may want to introduce it on a limited basis. It is better to delay implementation than to create confusion.

Provide immediate reinforcement for acceptable behavior. Accompany the reward of the token and reinforcers with social reinforcers, encouragement, and reflection on goal setting and the positive feelings students have when successful.

Gradually change for a continuous to a variable schedule of reinforcement.

Provide time for the exchange of tokens for rewards. Do not take this time from child’s free time or recess.

Revise the menu frequently.

Decide a way to fad the economy. Earn their way off the economy. Save tokens at end for an auction. Change from tokens to check marks, to self monitoring, to goal setting, to contract...

Source

Walker, J. E., & Shea T. M. (1988). Behavior Management: A Practical Approach For Educators. Fourth Ed. Columbus, OH: Merrill Publishing Company.