About Nanny Cards

Denver, Colorado

What are Nanny Cards?

The Behavior Modification Cards for Parents, Nannies, Educators and Other Caregivers.

How to use Nanny Cards

First make sure that your child understands what behaviors are unacceptable and what behaviors are expected by creating a behavior statement. If you need ideas visit the sample behavior statements and behavior charts below. Explain the card system to your child along with the consequences of each infraction of unacceptable behavior. I would recommend starting with just a few key behaviors rather than overwhelm your child with dozens of rules. Consistency is key.

There are four cards; Every day is a new beginning, Oops, Double Oops and Crash. Each morning your child should start with the Every day is a new beginning card. The idea is that he or she gets a fresh start every day.

When your child exhibits unacceptable behavior or breaks a rule that you have included in your behavior statement move the Every day is a new beginning card to the back of the stack. This will expose the first Oops card. This is when you explain to the child again what the behavior is that is unacceptable and make sure they understand what they did wrong. Ask them to tell you what they did wrong and how they could do things differently. You might want to implement a beginning minor consequence at this stage or you might feel that an explanation is enough.

If your child exhibits an unacceptable behavior a second time, move the Oops card to the back exposing the Double Oops card. Again explain the rule or unacceptable behavior and ask the child how they could do things differently. You should implement an intermediate consequence.

If your child exhibits an unacceptable behavior a third time, move the Double Oops card to the back of the deck exposing the Crash card. You should implement a more serious consequence at this time. It is important that the consequence is something that your child wants to avoid. Consequences should always be immediate.

Visit our Nanny Cards Shop to purchase your Nanny Cards Set.

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How to use Reward Cards

There are ten reward cards of different designs each with a word or expression on the back that expresses a virtue or character quality that you want to encourage. When your child exhibits a behavior that is desirable and is one that you are trying to teach you should give them a reward card. The word on the card does not necessarily correspond to the specific behavior but is an opportunity to provoke discussion on character. Give your child a key ring on which to keep their cards and provide a hook under the Nanny Card holder or you may allow your child to keep them in a special place or hooked on their backpack.

Determine ahead how the reward cards can be redeemed. You might have a chart. If you have more than one child participating in the system you might want to have a special redemption prize that will allow them to combine their reward cards for a game or a special trip to the local arcade.

Visit our Nanny Cards Shop to purchase your Rewards Cards.

Desirable and Acceptable Behavior	Unacceptable Behavior
Physical: Gentle pat on the back Hugging with permission Extending a helpful hand	Physical attacks or aggression: Hitting Kicking Pinching Pushing Biting Choking Chasing Throwing objects or hitting with objects Raising fist Moving toward another person with intent to cause them fear or cause them to run
Verbal: Making requests in pleasant tone of voice Giving a compliment Polite conversation Helpful and kind words Honest and direct words Cheerful tone of voice	Verbal attacks or aggression: Yelling or raising your voice in anger Name calling Threatening words Scaring with words Swearing Hateful speech Talking in sarcastic, snotty or irritated tone of voice Criticizing Bossing
Respect for property and space: Asking permission before entering someone’s room (knock first policy) Using the property of other’s only after asking Being careful with the property of other’s If you damage something admit it and offer to replace or fix it. Giving someone the space they need	Disrespect for property and space: Entering someone’s room without permission Using the property of other’s without permission Being careless with the property of other’s Purposely breaking something belonging to another Standing unnecessarily close Standing or getting in someone’s way on purpose
Good Manners: Saying please, thank you, excuse me Holding the door for others Not interrupting conversation Being quiet when someone is on the phone Being quiet when someone is watching TV Including everyone in your conversation and activities Following expected table manners	Lack of manners: Not saying please, thank you, excuse me Not holding the door for others Interrupting conversation Bossing Being loud when someone is on the phone Being loud when someone is watching TV Whispering in the presence of others Excluding others from activities in which they could reasonably participate Not following expected table manners
Obedience: Doing what is asked of you in a timely manner Saying “yes, I would be happy to do that” Being cheerful Paying attention when your parent or caregiver is speaking to you Doing your expected chores Obeying known rules without being reminded	Disobedience: Failure to respond to direct order Saying “no” to direct order Whining Temper tantrums Walking away when caregiver is speaking to you Failure to do expected chores Disobeying known rules

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Sample Behavior Contracts

SAMPLE #1:

From this day forward the following behaviors will no longer be tolerated:

• The use of a sharp voice or mean words when speaking to another family member
• Physical violence of any kind
• Temper Tantrums
• Defiance – refusal to obey a direct order from parents or caregiver

If you continue any of the above behaviors you will receive a card flip from the Nanny Card pack with increasing severity of consequences.

From this day forward the following behaviors are expected and will be rewarded:

• The use of a well modulated voice and kind words
• Respect for the physical well being and feelings of others
• Respect for the property of others
• Immediate compliance with orders or requests given by parents or caregivers.

Click here to download Sample Contract #1 ( Printable PDF Format )

SAMPLE #2

From this day forward the following behaviors will no longer be tolerated:

• Screaming and Crying to get your way
• Hitting, Pinching, Scratching, Biting
• Temper Tantrums
• Saying “NO” to Mommy, Daddy, Grandma or the babysitter
• Breaking your brother’s toys or playing rough with toys

If you do any of these things you will get a timeout in the naughty chair.

From this day forward the following behaviors are expected and will be rewarded:

• Being nice to your brother (or specify name if you like)
• Saying something kind
• Playing gently with your brother’s toys
• Asking before playing with your brother’s toys
• Picking up your toys when Mommy or Daddy or the babysitter asks

Click here to download Sample Contract #2 ( Printable PDF Format )

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