Scratch and Win...coolest mum/OT award!

Generally I do not attempt to be "cool".  There is too much pressure.  I do try to make therapy sessions fun and engaging.  I try to help my own kids to learn creatively...but "cool"...a tough title to earn....until now!

This homemade rewards project will have you as the coolest mum/OT/teacher/dad/grandparent in town. The elements of "winning", of "surprise", of "fun", of "uniqueness" {is that word?}, of "motivating" ... all rolled into one.  The best thing is that it is really easy to prepare.

What do you need?

• dishwashing liquid
• metallic paint (I used gold)
• paintbrush
• scissors
• strip of clear contact paper 
• plastic cup or plate
• Scratch and Win free printable (Found at Your Kids OT shop)

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What do you need to do?
1. Mix 1 part dishwashing liquid with 2 parts paints {my measurements were very approximate} in a plastic cup.

2. Paint the paint mixture onto the contact paper {on the clear side not the paper back}.  Wait for it to dry.  Paint another layer and allow to dry.  {Note: You can use a hairdryer if you are impatient.  I also found that the paint in the cup didn't dry out - must have been because of the detergent.}
3.  Print the Scratch and Win printable (print here) and cut out the tokens.

4. Cut out a small piece of painted contact paper {enough to cover up "reward" on Scratch and Win paper}.
5. Peel off the paper back from the contact paper.  
6. Stick the painted contact paper onto the "Scratch and Win printable".  Repeat on all paper tokens.

You are ready to play!

How to use?
Well this is really  up to you. The printable includes blanks so that you can edit your "prizes" according to your child.  I tried to find "non-food" item rewards for my own kids.  I also included a few "Special Scratch and Win" tokens.  These included activities that we planned for the school holidays.  It is also helpful if you choose prizes that your child will not receive at other times or elsewhere.  (Eg. If you give your child a piggy back ride everyday then this won't be very rewarding as a prize that is revealed).

I suggest that you have a system for gaining your "Scratch and Win" tokens.  This will vary according to your child and what you are trying to motivate them to achieve.  For Miss 7, she gains a stamp on the calendar for every time she practices the piano.  When she achieves 20 stamps she gets a "Scratch and Win".  You may want a quicker time frame for your child.  Mr 3 is working on eating his dinner unassisted.  He gets his "Scratch and Win" after doing this 5 times. We have also agreed that the prizes can be accumulated and don't have to be claimed instantly {useful when planning weekend or holiday prizes}.

I plan to incorporate this into therapy sessions.  I think this token based system will be really motivating.  The "rewards" I choose for therapy are usually a part of the program that I would have already planned to do, however it may involve some choice by my student.  For example, choice between "Writer's Hat" or "Imagistory" ipad apps, choice between scooter board or therapy ball activity, choice of multi-coloured pencil or vibrating pen for writing.  It may also include a different posture, for example: on your tummy {on the floor}, sitting on a therapy ball at the table, etc.

As an added bonus, the actual act of rubbing off the gold paint with a coin is a fantastic fine motor activity.  It encourages a pinch grip of the coin and an open webspace (the circle created by the thumb and index finger).  See how Miss 7 self corrected in the two photos above to a more open webspace which she found easier to hold the coin and rub out the paint. 

So are your ready to be "cool".  Despite this long explanation, it is very easy to achieve and one small strip of painted  contact paper covers heaps of prizes.  Have you thought of another way to use this scratch paint? Share your ideas in the comments below!