I first started using a reward chart with DD at about 3. It was basically 5 things that she needed to do each day - I changed them over time though. Things like - say 'ok mummy' when asked to do something - use you're manners - brush teeth after breakfast and dinner - make sure all clothes are in the washing basket - and smile when saying goodnight to mummy (instead of screaming the house down lol)
I found that it did work quite well, I would always start to forget if it was just you'll get a sticker for doing the right thing. Its much easier to reward if you know what you are looking for. So if DD got a smilie face for each day of the week then she would get a sticker at the end - at least 3 out of 5 stickers at the end and she got to pick something out of the prize box (which is just dodgy cheap things I see when I am doing groceries, like stickers or plastic jewellary, etc) - if she got 5/5 I would let her pick something next time we were out.
I recently changed the system for DD this year (she is 5 now) so that is matched in better with how the school rewards the kids - basically now we have a happy page and a sad page on the fridge - and a prize box. She needs 5 stickers on the happy page to get a prize - but she only gets a sticker for doing something that isnt already expected of her (like tidying her room herself, or still talking properly even when she wants to start chucking a wobbly). When she gets 10 stickers on the sad face - which can be for being rude, not following the rules, etc - I get to pick something of hers that she already has and put it in the prize box - and there is stays until she gets enough stickers to get it out again. Seems to be working a charm!
We have a reward chart for ds who is 27 months. Started it about 6 weeks ago. Yes, i forget sometimes but also, yes i have noticed a change in his general behaviour.
We have it in the kitchen - at our eye level but he can still see it (just not touch it). When he gets a star he gets to choose the colour and i lift him up so he can stick it on. At the end of the week (usually saturday night) we count up the stars and if he has reached his special number for that week then he gets a reward. The reward is currently a new book, it could also be that he gets to watch a movie, choose dinner, go to the park, a new toy, go swimming, have a play date, choose an activity like painting or play dough (which i usually save for daycare lol) etc.
Currently he is getting rewarded for the following
Brushing his teeth
Having a nice bath (eg, not screaming the house down cause he doesnt want to get in or throwing bath toys at his sister)
Playing nicely with Evie
Tidying up his toys
and then just generally if he does something really nice like share when friends come to play, helps me, etc
He gets excited about it and sometimes i gently remind him that he can choose a star if things start to get difficult, like he is putting off brushing his teeth.
It works but you really do have to be consistant with it.
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