All right parents, teachers…I have a question for you. What things would you like to help your child or student achieve? What goals would you like to see them setting? What challenges would you like to see them overcome?
And most importantly, HOW to you plan to help them to accomplish these things?
I have one fantastic option/solution: Progress Cards
What are Progress Cards? Here is some info:
Created by Scott Ertl, elementary school counselor since 1996, Progress Cards were made to help record effective strategies for specific behaviors and issues. Recognizing that we are all “Works In Progress,” Scott strives to empower children to do 4 things:
| 1. Believe in yourself. You can truly accomplish whatever you put your mind to. 2. Seek out mentors to ask for help, encouragement, and support. Listen to them. 3. Stay aware of what you are working to improve. Recognize and celebrate your progress along the way.
Progress Cards provide:
|
 Specific ways to feel better (Learn to manage and express anger, fears, jealousy, sadness…) Effective (Learn how to get better grades, make money, get stronger, improve self-confidence…)Realistic suggestions (Learn to deal with divorce, bullies, testing, death of a loved one…)Simple to follow and implement (Daily homework, morning, bedtime routines…) |
My Thoughts:
Progress cards are fantastic! Do not be fooled by their simplicity. The very fact that they are easy to use and a simple tool makes them that much more effective. My 8-year old daughter absolutely LOVED browsing the more than 60 “categories” and choosing which specific areas she wanted to set goals in. She chose to focus on “cheering up” when she gets down (and bless her emotional heart, she gets down a LOT). By keeping that card close by, we were able to implement suggested strategies immediately upon recognizing a bad mood coming on (her favorite strategies? To have someone tell a joke, and to do a silly dance with mom). After just one week of doing this, I’m seeing Munchkin implement strategies to cheer herself up without any prompting from me, and I can’t tell you how it warms my heart!
My son just turned 4, and as you may know, he has autism and doesn’t have much in the way of language. I was sure he wouldn’t participate in using thse cards, but to my surprise, he has enjoyed them too! Instead of checking things off, he receives a sticker to put on his card each time he implements a new strategy. We’re focusing on lowering stress for him, because he’s been a stressed out little dude for years, and no one has yet found a solution for him. While it’s been slow, I’ve begun to see some progress in this area already, and it thrills me to no end! Who would have thought? 
There are over 60 areas that you can access strategies for, and that is something that has impressed me. If I can be completely honest, I think ADULTS (myself included) can benefit from many of the strategies! (hello, healthy eating tips!) I’m gonna print myself up a few cards to work on, and do it with my children.
*So, now that you know how awesome these things are, let’s get to the good stuff, shall we? First of all, **EVERYONE** gets something freetoday! Scott has very generously offered my readers TWO FREE Progress Cards for download, Friendship Skills and Sportsmanship Tips! You can get them HERE.
The freebies aren’t done yet. Scott has also offered you lucky ducks a free Progress Book that you can download to help children identify current strengths and set goals. Get that HERE.
Get the entire Progress Cards Set! Available for purchase at Progress Cards.com for $34.99, or you can purchase the cards individually for 99 cents each.
OR
You can win the entire set! Yep, one lucky winner will receive the entire Progress Cards Set ($34.99 value) to download for FREE! Want to enter? Here’s how:
MANDATORY ENTRY – NO other entries will count until you’ve done this:
- “Like” Progress cards on Facebook, and let me know you did in the comments section. Easy, right?
ADDITIONAL ENTRIES – Please post 1 comment for EACH entry.
- Follow this blog, Better On A Budget and let me know. (1 entry)
- Follow me on Twitter. (1 entry)
- Blog about this and let me know with a link back to your blog (3 entries)
Please include your email address when you comment so that I can contact you if you win! This giveaway is open for two weeks and will close Tuesday, January 4th at midnight EST.
17 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
tjvampire
January 13, 2011 at 11:16 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
health insurance mmtcwj life insurance >:PP nevada homeowners insurance quote ftiiz life insurance no physical zcyaa
Beckee
January 4, 2011 at 12:44 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I follow your blog
Beckee
January 4, 2011 at 12:44 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Like Progress cards on FB
kim
December 31, 2010 at 7:31 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am a fan of Progress cards on Facebook
Suzanne DS
December 30, 2010 at 8:15 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Twitter follower
@spdls0215
Suzanne DS
December 30, 2010 at 8:15 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Follow Better on a Budget Blog
Suzanne DS
December 30, 2010 at 8:14 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
“Like” Progress cards on Facebook
fb:suzie p. santos
spdls0215@yahoo.com
Lindsey
December 27, 2010 at 8:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I follow you on Twitter. I’m MommyEbo.
Lindsey
December 27, 2010 at 8:06 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I follow your blog! Thanks for all you do!
Lindsey
December 27, 2010 at 8:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Just became a fan of Progress Cards on Facebook!
Tabitha
December 27, 2010 at 10:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
blogged #3 http://savingtowardabetterlife.blogspot.com/2010/12/great-giveaways-progress-cards-helping.html
Tabitha
December 27, 2010 at 10:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
blogged #2 http://savingtowardabetterlife.blogspot.com/2010/12/great-giveaways-progress-cards-helping.html
Tabitha
December 27, 2010 at 10:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
blogged http://savingtowardabetterlife.blogspot.com/2010/12/great-giveaways-progress-cards-helping.html
Tabitha
December 27, 2010 at 9:58 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I like you on twitter
@abetterlifeblog
Tabitha
December 27, 2010 at 9:58 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I follow your blog!
Tabitha
December 27, 2010 at 9:58 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I like Progress Cards ob Facebook
Tabitha D. Hanner
Dani
December 25, 2010 at 6:36 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Liked on facebook contestd(at)hotmaildotcom