Mason Jar

Inspiration: A Mason jar
Target Goal: Increasing positive language, communication and behavior.
Age: Any

Purpose:
With our busy lives and hectic schedules it is important to put an emphasis on the positive.  Acknowledging and rewarding positive behavior and language in your kids is a great way to reinforce good behavior.  This activity focuses on encouraging your child to do and say nice things.  Give them examples of what you expect from them and things that you like for them to say and do.  See examples below.

Supplies:
A Mason jar
Ribbon
Scissors
Paper strips
Rubber band
Pen

1) Cut 8.5x11inch paper in half and then into 1inch strips.
2) Stack in a pile and place a rubber band around the stack.
3) Decorate the Mason jar with a ribbon.
4) Write down all of the positive things your child does and says. Remind them that once it is all filled up that they will earn a reward.
5) Fill up your jar, once it is full take out all of the strips of paper and read them out loud together.
6) Reward your child with a treat of their choice.  You could take them to the aquarium or do an activity that will serve as a reward for all of their positive language and behavior!

Modification:

You can modify what is written on the slips of paper to achieve any goal you set.  If your child has limited language use, you could use this project as motivation to increase there utterance use from 2 words to 3 words.  Every time they used a 3 word utterance you would write it on the paper and put it in the jar.  For example if your child is saying "want ball" you would encourage them to say "I want ball" instead.

Enjoy!