Episode 181: Transform Your Homeschool with…Tickets!
For the Busy Mommas…
So tickets...let's talk about using them with the clipboards...or even without
I've never met anyone who doesn't like earning things and getting prizes.
This, in particular, is handy when spicing up your homeschool groove.
Let's talk about how to set it up first, and then we'll share some great free and low-cost prize options to start with.
Choosing Tasks (00:40)
This is really about deciding which tasks are most important to complete each day and making a list that’s easily accessible and visible to your children (we use clipboards and spiral notebooks).
You can do only homeschool tasks, only chores, or a mix of both.
These tasks will be different for each family, and will really depend on what you are willing to give your kids a ticket for.
Choosing Prizes (01:37)
This is one of the most fun parts of the ticket system…
Take a look at our prize ideas list (on pages 6,7, & 8 of the guide if you have it) and decide what prizes to start with and what values you’ll be assigning (we do one ticket per task to keep things simple and manageable).
We also like to choose prizes together at family meetings so our kids have more buy-in. This doesn’t happen on a set schedule, but it’s more dependent on how the kids are responding to the current prize list (you’ll know when things need to be spiced up a bit by how motivated your kids are).
Britt’s family recently added a prize bin (at her children’s request). The kids picked a few things they were interested in getting, and they’re working toward them with their daily tasks.
System Set-up (04:25)
Choose & buy the tickets or tokens you want to use (use pinecones, puffballs, anything).
Britt uses tickets because they are easy to use. She can sign their names on them, tear them up, and throw them away when she’s done.
Create a little list of prizes or grab our pre-made templates from the tickets guide from the shop.
You can choose how you want to keep your tickets or tokens (we keep ours in a jar in a central location to prevent them from going missing). Before you begin, make a decision about replacing lost tickets…will you or won’t you? Make sure to inform all your ticket-earners early and often.
Finally, choose a central location to display your prize list and tickets/tokens.
Just Start (07:10)
Start using them!
You can start anytime, anywhere. Explain the new system to your children (because clarity is kindness!), and let them start marking tasks off!
Prize Ideas (07:45)
Here’s the list you’ve been waiting for…
1 on 1 walk with mom/dad
DIY Lego builds challenge
Set-up an obstacle course
Later bedtime/Sleep in late
Skip one subject
Skip a chore
Living room camp out
Build a fort (inside/outside)
Breakfast in bed
Special treats
Doughnut/Special drink mini-date
Book of choice (print or Audible)
Water balloon battle
Choose what’s for breakfast/lunch/dinner
Root beer float night
And beautiful mommas, never forget…
YOU are doing beautiful work!
