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Now that the children are back to school I’m sure we’re not the only ones trying to get back into a good routine. The last year has been such a strange time and I know that lockdown has brought with it a lot of relaxation.
So now it’s time for us to work on getting back to where we want to be – things like having dinner at the dining table rather than in front of the TV, wearing clothes that aren’t loungewear, getting back into the habit of homework and reinforcing expected behaviours for the children.
The rules have relaxed over recent times and with it there have definitely been some bending in behaviour and so when Behaviour Balls invited us to review their product and service it felt like perfect timing and a great opportunity.
What are Behaviour Balls?
Behaviour Balls are a visual behaviour tool to help parents better manage the behaviour of their children. They focus on specific behaviours to start with, working up to bigger goals.
With Behaviour Balls, good behaviour is expected. Unlike other behaviour aids we’ve seen and used in the past – like reward charts, for example – good behaviour isn’t praised with Behaviour Balls, it’s a given. Children should behave well and Behaviour Balls work by focusing on instances of undesirable behaviour rather than rewarding what should be continual positive behaviour.
How do Behaviour Balls work?
Behaviour Balls are a very visual system which takes away the need for discussion with children when their behavior isn’t at its best. The main emphasis of Behaviour Balls is that the children start each day or week with a full set of balls and are rewarded for not losing any.
Balls are lost when the child doesn’t do what has been asked of them, and has failed to improve their behaviour during the visual process. This really is where Behavior Balls are a really versatile product. No family will have the same behaviour issues within it, every family and child is different so you make Behaviour Balls work for you.
How we used Behaviour Balls
Any regular reader will know that we don’t really have behaviour issues with LP and Little Man – they have always been really well behaved kids. But, that’s not to say there aren’t things that can be improved.
Over lockdown they have both begun a habit where, when asked to do something, they say “can I just…” or “in a minute” – and I know that sounds really minor but it’s something that really niggles as we’ll ask them to help lay the table for dinner and by the time their version of a minute has passed we’ll be sitting down to eat.
So we used Behaviour Balls to focus on this one thing. Could the children do as they were asked, when they were asked and get rewarded for it?
How did Behaviour Balls work for us?
Once we introduced Behaviour Balls, we explained to the children how they would work. Behaviour Balls have a fantastic six step process to follow so it’s more than just taking away a ball when the children don’t display desired behaviours.
The children understood the concept of the Behaviour Balls from the start and we alternated using them with LP one day and Little Man the next so they both had the chance to work on their behaviours and continue it even when we weren’t using the Behaviour Balls.
The main aim with Behaviour Balls is not to use them forever but instead to teach the children to remove negative traits from their behaviour so they no longer need Behaviour Balls. But, the balls can be kept and used whenever needed as time goes on.
LP and Little Man both bought into Behaviour Balls from the start and neither wanted to lose their balls. They were kept somewhere they could see them at all times and they both got quite emotional at the thought of losing balls. The balls really symbolised the reward at the end for them.
For us, the reward was time on the Nintendo Switch but it could be anything that works for you – FaceTime with a friend, a favourite TV show or getting to pick a family activity. Something that the child wants and will happily work towards.
Because of how invested the children were we found Behaviour Balls to be a really positive experience. They both naturally started doing things when they were asked and we’ve now moved on to focusing on other behaviours.
Making Behaviour Balls work for you
Behaviour Balls is fantastic for focusing on specific behaviours. You can’t buy a set and then say to your child to be good. The child needs to know what exactly you mean by being good and it needs to be tailored to their age and really specific too.
As Behaviour Balls is a visual aid it’s great for any age child and it really removes arguments around behaviour. The child knows what is expected of them and when it doesn’t happen, they lose a ball. No discussion is needed which immediately stops anyone arguing. It is what it is.
I would have loved a set when the children were preschoolers and we could have used Behaviour Balls to focus on not throwing their food on the floor, not throwing themselves on the floor in temper or helping to put their toys away.
For slightly older children Behaviour Balls could be used with chores in mind like keeping their room tidy or things like sharing with their siblings, not hitting or not slamming doors.
Even with teenagers you could use Behaviour Balls for things like not swearing, not answering back, doing homework or helping around the house.
As you can see, Behaviour Balls are really behaviour specific and work well when you focus on one area at a time. It’s really hard for anyone to change their behaviour when they are just trying to be better or do better but by having clear goals and a clear focus it makes change that much easier.
Behaviour Balls look like a simple concept but, as well as the physical tube of balls, they’re a whole behaviour process that a family can use together. They’re versatile, adaptable and something that any family could use.
I really like Behaviour Balls and would urge any family who have any behaviour issues to give Behaviour Balls a try. They have a fantastic online portal that you get access to when you buy a set of balls that helps you get started, answers questions and is just a fantastic resource.
One thing that using the Behaviour Balls Members’ Area online has shown me is that the Behaviour Balls team really want to help people to get to grips with their children’s behaviours and support them through using the balls.
They cover so many different eventualities and situations within the Member’s Area and are always contactable if you need more specific help or advice. There’s so much more to Behaviour Balls than just the set of balls.
Behaviour Balls cost £28.99 (but are currently on offer at £17.40) which includes the set of balls, visual guide and instructions but also individual support and advice and access to the members’ area too. Find out more over on the Behaviour Balls website.
My son has additional needs and requires visual things to help him understand so me just telling him it’s not ok isn’t enough these balls would be perfect for him to start recognising when he needs to control his behaviour or actions fingers crossed
Hi Sean
Other families who have used Behaviour Balls with their children who also have additional needs, have found just what you have said – the visual nature has worked wonders, as it takes away the need for words. The simple, clear, visual steps are easy to understand and follow, so it helps to keep situations calm, and verbal battles can be avoided. Good luck with the give away…
Best wishes – Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
Hi Sean
I’m sure Behaviour Balls would work well for you and your family. Several families who also have children with additional needs have said that what attracted them to Behaviour Balls was just what you said – the visual nature of them, which worked wonders for them, as it is simple and easy to follow, with the 6 step visual process giving their child time to adjust their behaviour. The visual nature takes away the need for words, which can often fuel a situation. Good luck with the give away.
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I would like to win for my nephew because I feel they would really help,him .
Hi Jo
I’m sure Behaviour Balls could help your nephew. Good luck with the give away.
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
My kids would love to win this prize
Good luck with the give away Annabel. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
To help my nephew’s begaviour, he has ADHD.
Hi Rachel
The visual aspect of these would really help I’m sure. Good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
This would hopefully be useful for my daughter on improving her behaviour. She’s actually quite well behaved the battle is setting up boundaries when using technology and the times she can use it.
Hi Sadiyya
I still use them with my youngest, who is now normally quite well behaved. You can refer to them as and when needed, and they still have a big impact. The process is simple, clear, visual and easy to follow, so everyone knows what’s going on. Good luck with the giveaway. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
i would love to win these for my grandchildren.
Dear Phil
Having these for your grand children would be great. Good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls.)
To assist and support the family in regards to appropriate behaviour. Seems like a prompt Communications tool.
Hi Craig
Behaviour Balls definitely promote good behaviour. They allow the family to work together, improving specific behaviours in a clear and simple way. It’s another alternative method to try, and can be used alongside other strategies too. Good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I’m really struggling with the behaviour of one of my twins and I think the visual nature of these might really help, as words are not having any lasting impact whatsoever.
Hi Catherine
I really think they could help you too. It was like that with my second child. The visual nature makes for a much calmer approach, with the outcome clear to all. Good luck with the give away. Nikki – Behaviour Balls
To deal with behaviour, bad attitude towards getting off this computer and going for a walk!
Dear Claire
Behaviour Balls could be used to tackle all of these issues – starting with the main one, and building up to them all. Good luck with the give away. Nikki – Behaviour Balls.
Perfect for my niece
Hi Pam
I’m sure they’d help your niece. Good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
My grandson has lots phobias these balls would overcome his ‘spheres’
Dear John
It’s worth a try…. I hope they can help. Good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
This is a great aid for autistic children as the visualisation of it makes it easier for them to understand.
Dear Laura
You’re exactly right. When trialling the product with volunteer families, I had several families take part with children who had autistic tendencies, and they found the visual nature worked wonders. I’m sure they’d be great for you too.
Good luck with the give away.
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I’ve only just discovered behaviour balls, but I really think they can help my nephew in controlling his behaviour.
Hi Nicola
Behaviour Balls only launched in July last year, but with the pandemic I haven’t been able to promote them in the way I planned….. so it’s great that you’ve discovered them now. I’m sure they could help with your nephew’s behaviour, so good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
Anything to help the kids – and me – survive being cooped up inside is more than welcome!
Hi Ian
I totally agree with you, and with Behaviour Balls, the expectation and consequences are clear. The visual nature of the 6 step process allows for a calm approach in dealing with unwanted behaviours….. they really do work! Good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
id lvoe to win for my nephews!
Dear Amy
Good luck with the give away – I’m sure they’d be great for your nephews.
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
For my little boy who struggles somewhat sometimes
Dear Rich
The great thing about Behaviour Balls, is that they are there for when you need them. My youngest now doesn’t need them everyday, but they are still there, and just the mention of loosing a Behaviour Ball is enough now.
Good luck with the give away.
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
Sometimes it’s a good idea, with children who have certain further fences to climb, that they have something to remove the stress of not understanding certain ways of doing something, and need that extra support. It can be stressful and frustrating, so these sound great to reduce the stresses of having issues can cause xx
Dear Ruth
Behaviour Balls really do take away so much stress for both the parents and ultimately the child, as they are clear, visual and take away the need for verbal discussions / arguments which can then escalate the situation. Good luck with the give away.
Nikki – Behaviour Balls
I’d love to win the balls for Leo because he sometimes refuses to do any writing because he keeps saying that ‘it hurts’ to write.
I have to admit I’m not sure how the balls work because I wonder whether Leo might just say ‘good, take the ball away, see if I care’ so I think the online members area would be really beneficial.
Hi Susan
The great thing about Behaviour Balls, is they can be used to tackle any particular behaviours that might be an issue at any given time. You work with your child, choosing something of meaning to them, for their daily reward. That way, they want to keep their Behaviour Balls. The 6 step process you go through, before a ball is lost, allows plenty of time for them to stop / change / improve their behaviour. They worked wonders for my youngest, when nothing else did. The Members’ Area has lots of great information, and I offer help too as you get started with them. Good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I would love to win to see if they actually work
Hi Eva
They do…. if you follow the process! For my youngest, nothing else worked for him. This is how Behaviour Balls came about. When I trialled them with volunteer families, they were amazed by how effective they were. They can be used for any behaviour issues you might be faced with, and can be adapted in their use as the child grows. Lots of great tips and ideas for use are found within our Members’ Area. Good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I’d use these with my son who sometimes needs extra help behaving!
Hi
Every child has their moments, and so these would be great for your son. Good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
These sound like a good idea. I have behavior issues with my daughter and these sound like a great visual aid to help, and it is something I haven’t tried yet which is always helpful.
Dear Jenny
The visual nature of Behaviour Balls is what is so great about them – it takes away the need for words, and saves arguments brewing! They also work in the opposite way to most other behaviour techniques, which is why they can be so successful. However, they can also work alongside existing strategies too. I hope you do end up giving them a go. Good luck with the give away. Nikki – Behaviour Balls
These look great, I’d love to try them
Dear Louise
I think they’re great too, and they really do work! I hope you decide to give them a go, whatever the outcome of the give away. Good luck with it. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I think these may really help my grandaughter and her mum sort out some niggles between them. She’s six going on sixteen.
Dear Kim
I think they really could help. They are simple yet easy to use, and are set up with the child, so they invest in the process too. I hope to hear from you, either through the give away or by still deciding to use us. Best wishes, Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
My son has Autism and ADHD this would be great for him being able to see them growing up the tube for a reward
Hi Mel
Families of children with Autism and ADHD have found the visual nature a real bonus. There are 5 visual steps as well, during the process, which helps stop situations escalating, and parents can deal with issues calmly and without the need for words. Good luck with the give away, but if you’re not successful, I hope you’ll consider getting your family a set. Best wishes, Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I would love to win the behaviour balls for my cousin.
Hi Troy
Great idea to get a set for your cousin…. good luck with the give away. Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I’d love to try behaviour balls with my kids. We’ve tried reward charts in the past and they haven’t really worked for us but this sounds very interesting.
Hi Emma
The great thing about Behaviour Balls, is that you tailor them to suit each individual child and their family. Everyone’s invested in them, so the child wants to do well. They came about as none of the traditional behaviour methods worked for my youngest. Good luck with the give away – and if you’re not successful, do still give us a try! Best wishes, Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
Hi Emma
You may get 2 replies…. if you do, sorry! What’s great about Behaviour Balls is that you can tailor them to suit each child and family. Everyone’s really invested in them, so the child really wants to keep all their Behaviour Balls. The 6 step process gives them plenty of opportunity to change their behaviour too. None of the traditional methods worked for my youngest, which is how Behaviour Balls came to be. Good luck with the give away, and if you’re not successful, I hope you’d still consider getting a set. Best wishes, Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
My son is autistic and at times his behaviour can be quite challenging. Stickers and rewards charts he isn’t really bothered by. These balls are a brilliant idea, visual things like this seem to work better for us.
Dear Nicola
The visual nature of Behaviour Balls have proved great for many children, especially those with autism. My youngest wasn’t bothered with reward charts or stickers either, and would take himself to the naughty step! This is how I came up with the idea of Behaviour Balls…. and 4 years later they’re still working on him! Good luck with the give away, but if you’re not successful, I hope you’ll consider getting a set. Best wishes, Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I’d like to win these for my sister who is a teacher at a special needs school in Blackpool.
Dear Adrian,
What a wonderful idea. Our SENCO at my school loves the approach, and has suggested using them with several of our SEN children. So, good luck with the give away, but if you’re not successful, I hope you or your sister might get in touch anyway.
Best wishes,
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
these look interesting i have 2 young boys who are very lively, not to great at listening! x
Dear Astrid
That’s the great thing about Behaviour Balls – they take away the need for words. Once the first verbal warning is given, the rest of the steps are purely visual. Good luck with the give away, but if you’re not successful, I hope you’ll consider using us anyway.
Best wishes
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I would love them for my autistic son he is almost 13. It would definitely make a better way of communicating and much more visual rather than turning off the wifi or take electronics off him for the day and get all the unpleasant behaviour that comes from the video going off because he cant find the same one again and having to have drastic consequences when he refuses to do any chores or refusing to do his personal care. He is very forgetful and easily distracted so when asking him to do things he forgets and the visual aid will help much more I think. It’s the first time I’ve come across these. They would also come in handy for my 8mth old when she’s a little older 😀 I’m sure we would get some good use out of them x
Dear Maria
Behaviour Balls would be great for your family – the visual nature is what works so well with children, and even more so for those with autism. I only launched the product at the end of last year, so Behaviour Balls isn’t well known yet! Good luck with the give away, but if you’re not successful, I hope you’ll consider getting a set.
Best wishes
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I think it would be good with children like my son who has autism
Dear Pete
The visual nature of Behaviour Balls works well with all children, however I know parents of children with autism have really liked this approach. The visual nature is simple, clear and easy to follow, and their children have responded really well to them. Good luck with the give away, but if you’re not successful, I hope you’ll consider getting a set.
Best wishes
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
I would like to win these for my grandson.
Dear Patricia
That’s a great idea to get a set for your grandson. Behaviour Balls is a fresh, new approach to behaviour, so not many people have heard of them yet! Good luck with the give away, but if you’re not successful, I hope you’ll consider getting a set still.
Best wishes
Nikki (Behaviour Balls)
Family age range toddler to teen so a different and innovative set like this would be a welcome support parenting.
Dear Susan
The great thing is that you can tailor each set to each child, so that they’re of meaning to all of them, no matter what their age. I only launched the product last year, but people are finding them great and word is slowly getting out there! Good luck with the give away, but if you’re not successful, I hope you’ll consider getting a set anyway.
Best wishes
Nikki – Behaviour Balls
I think this could be really helpful for my nephew.
Dear Heather
Behaviour Balls is a very new product – I’m sure they’ll be great for your nephew. Good luck with the giveaway, but if you’re not successful, I hope you’ll consider getting him a set anyway.
Best wishes
Nikki – Behaviour Balls.
I work in a school it would be great to try these out
Dear Jennifer
It would be great to try these at school – our SENCO has offered them to some of our pupils too.
Best wishes
Nikki – Behaviour Balls
My 10 year has Down’s Syndrome and profound learning difficulties, our life is dictated by his need for structure & routine, home schooling has proved to be hugely beneficial to him, removing the anxieties of school has made his days much more pleasant, (so much so we’ve decided to do it full time from September). Sensory stimulation is crucial as a teaching element and we’re always looking for new things to introduce & do. These behaviour balls would be utilised as part of our reward programme but could also be adapted for so many lifeskill challenges for him. Thanks for introducing these to us, we didn’t even know they existed!
Dear Fiona
Behaviour Balls only launched last year, and so we’re gradually getting heard about! Donna wrote a fabulous review having trialled them, so hopefully this will help spread the word! Behaviour Balls are great in so many ways, and their visual nature is what appeals to so many. I agree that they could really help you in so many ways, so I hope you still think about using them if you’re not successful with the give away.
Best wishes
Nikki – Behaviour Balls