Behavior Chart Templates for Therapists
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A behavior chart template can be a useful tool for therapists and mental health clinicians who work with clients of all ages—including families, adult clients, and children.
In this guide to using behavior charts, we explain different uses for daily behavior charts and provide examples of how to use them. You can also download the free behavior chart templates to save to your electronic health record (EHR) for future use.
What is a behavior chart?
A behavior chart is simply a log that keeps track of certain behaviors and actions.
The goal of these charts is to motivate, encourage, track, and reward positive behaviors. Adults, adolescents, and even kindergarten-aged children can use behavioral charts to reinforce positive behaviors, and learn independence and accountability.
Behavioral charts can be helpful resources for therapists to support positive behaviors in clients and help them work towards their goals.
Who can use a behavior chart?
Behavioral charts can be used with clients of all ages.
Here are some examples of ways to use behavior charts for various client situations:
- A behavior chart for kindergarten-age clients can track things like listening, keeping calm, raising a hand to ask a question, and reward kids for positive behaviors.
- Families may use a behavior chart for home life to keep track of chores, potty training, homework, and other positive behaviors. It also helps kids to visually track their behavior and progress.
- Adult clients may want to use a daily behavior chart to work toward a personal goal, like working out several times a week to improve their health.
Behavior chart examples
Behavior charts can be as simple or as detailed as you’d like them to be.
We’ve included a few behavior chart examples below. You can also download the behavior chart PDF at the top of this article to print out or send to clients virtually.
Goal-based behavior chart
The following goal-based chart can be used for various types of goals. For example, the chart below includes goals for someone who is aiming to add healthier habits to their lifestyle.
| Goal | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water | |||||||
| Workout for 30 minutes (120 minutes this week) | |||||||
| Cook a healthy meal (3 times this week) |
Behavior chart for students
Our behavior chart template can be adapted for students of all ages to keep track of target behaviors in class. This may include completing homework, behaving in class, encouraging participation, and listening to the teacher.
You can also include a section that incorporates parent and teacher feedback to encourage collaboration between them.
| Behavior | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| I listened to the teacher | |||||
| I finished my homework | |||||
| I took part in class | |||||
| I paid attention to the teacher’s instructions/lesson | |||||
| I helped clean up after class | |||||
| Student notes: How did the week go? What are some areas of growth you want to work on? | |||||
| Parent signature and notes: | Teacher signature and notes: | ||||
Family behavior chart
This reward chart supports independent behaviors and tracks family participation in completing chores. It can be tailored to each family’s goals and needs.
To make the chart logging fun, you can use stars or stickers to record the family’s progress.
| Task | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Get up on my own when my alarm sounds | |||||||
| Brush my teeth and be ready to leave with mom/dad by 7:30 AM | |||||||
| Do the dishes after dinner | |||||||
| Complete my homework | |||||||
| Go to bed by 9 PM | |||||||
| Reward | |||||||
How to use the behavior chart template
The behavior chart template can be used in session with clients or it can be provided as a “homework” exercise that the client can fill out by the next session.
Encourage clients to set their goals in their own language so that they're more relatable and motivated to achieve them.
It’s helpful to discuss goals or family behavior charts in session with your clients to ensure their goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-focused.
Here’s how SMART goals can help:
- Specific: Try to identify a specific task. Instead of “get ready for school,” narrow the task to “brush your teeth before school.”
- Measurable: This chart will help to track and measure your progress during the week.
- Achievable: Keeping goals bite-sized makes them more achievable.
- Relevant: Goals should align with your overall objectives for your health, family, or job.
- Time-based: Tasks should specify how long they should take and when you’d like to complete them.
For example, in a family behavioral chart, you could ask the parents which behaviors they’d like to encourage, or what chores they want the family to participate in. Then, you could get SMART by breaking down the large goal to “help clean the kitchen” into more bite-sized goals, like “washing the dishes after dinner,” or “mopping the floor once a week during the weekend.”
It’s important to involve all family members. For example, ask children to choose which days they’d like to complete these activities, how these goals support the family, and identify a reward that would motivate them to fully participate.
To use the behavior chart templates, follow these steps:
- Enter each SMART goal in the left hand column of the chart
- Keep track of progress using stickers, a checkmark, smiley faces, or whatever motivates you and/or your family
- Choose a reward to motivate the whole family and celebrate progress
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