About the Book's Originators

Rewards for Kids! was born in a kitchen, not an office!

Many years ago, when my son was in kindergarten, I had the good fortune to meet Janet O'Flynn, the mother of another kindergartner. Like my son, her child was strong-willed and often wished to march to the beat of his own drum. Janet and I quickly found we shared an interest in developing positive and creative ways for encouraging good behavior. Janet's talent for designing unique charts and reward activities fit well with my desire to find ways of engaging my children's interest. In between sorting out carpooling schedules, exchanging concerns about our sons' adjustment to a new school, and discussing the quirks of our younger children, Janet and I soon realized that our ideas and experience might be of value to other parents. We began to develop the beginnings of a book…. (From the Preface of Rewards for Kids!)

About the Author

Virginia M. Shiller, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child and family therapy. She completed a clinical fellowship in psychology at the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Bush Center for Child Development and Social Policy, Yale University . She is currently a lecturer at the Yale Child Study Center and has a private practice.

Dr. Shiller actively promotes children's needs through writing as well as political advocacy. As chair of the Children and Youth Committee of the Connecticut Psychological Association, she received the association's 2002 Award for Extraordinary Service. Dr. Shiller is the proud parent of two sons and lives with her husband Robert in New Haven, Connecticut.

About the Chart Designer

Janet C. O'Flynn, OTR/L, BCP is a licensed occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics. She completed her BA in liberal arts at St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland, and her post-baccalaureate training in occupational therapy at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. O'Flynn has worked in public schools and early intervention programs in Virginia, Connecticut , and Massachusetts. She has enjoyed working in special education and occupational therapy overseas as well, in Peru and Haiti. She was a contributor to the book Ordinary Miracles: True Stories About Overcoming Obstacles and Surviving Catastrophes (2002). She lives with her husband Donnel and son and daughter in Hamilton, NY.