Rewards are different from bribes. Rewards are given after the behavior you want to encourage, while bribery comes before action.
Why rewards work well
Reward is designed to encourage your child to continue doing the good you want them to do. By rewarding your kid, you make them proud that they have achieved something.
How to effectively use rewards for potty training
For potty training rewards to be effective, it should be given as soon as your child uses the potty. This makes it easier for your child to relate the reward with their ability to use the toilet.
Your rewards can take different forms. What works best is what your child likes. These can be things like stickers, coloring books, candy bars etc. Sticker charts are a good way to measure your child's success rate.
Tips for success with rewards
• Give the reward immediately - an instant reward helps your child associate the reward with the behavior. The younger your child is, the more immediately you should give the reward to reinforce an action.
• If material rewards are used, keep it minimal so that you don't easily run out of them. The goal of the reward is to keep your child’s interest alive at all times.
• Do not overly use sweets as rewards as this could cause your child to develop abnormal eating habits. It can be used, but only occasionally.
How to start with rewards
You can start by offering them a reward when they actually use the potty to pee or poop. This is to prevent them from rushing to the potty every now and then just to be treated.
Make sure that what you expect from your child is practical. If you ask for something that is not very pragmatic, you might discourage yourself and your child instead of motivating them to achieve their set goal.
Following the tips above can help you successfully incorporate rewards as a part of your potty training routine.