When you need to help your children learn new behaviors, increase behaviors you desire and reduce undesirable behaviors, your chances for success will increase if you use positive reinforcement. When your boss gives you a bonus or someone tells you that you look nice today, you are likely to repeat your behaviors in the future, because you enjoyed the positive reinforcement you received. The same thing happens with children.
How it Works
Behavior modification is the act of changing behaviors or increasing desired behaviors and reducing negative or unwanted behaviors, reports HelpGuide.org. Correct timing and consistency are essential for positive reinforcement to be successful in changing behaviors. HelpGuide also notes that positive reinforcement has to be delivered directly after the desired behavior has occurred and on a consistent basis. The idea is that by pairing something your child likes with a behavior, they will increase those behaviors because they will want to get more of what they like.
Uses
You can use positive reinforcement to teach your child correct manners, increase his success in school or reduce bullying. According to KidsHealth.org, positive reinforcement is generally more effective in reducing bullying behaviors in children when compared with discipline and punishment. Positive reinforcement techniques have also demonstrated significant positive effects for children with autism disorder and those experiencing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, reports HelpGuide.org.
Types
One of the most basic forms of positive reinforcement is praise, suggest Kid's Health.org. Praise for good behaviors can influence your child to increase such behavior in the future, reports HelpGuide.org. You can provide praise in the form of kind words, a smile or a hug, or through written communication for a job well done. Another type of reinforcement is the use of rewards. The reward can be anything that your child enjoys, whether it is an extra hour of time playing video games, going out to eat with friends or using a sticker chart. Always keep rewards based on what your child likes.
Considerations
When choosing which positive reinforcement you will use, you must take certain things into consideration. The modification in behavior should be equal to the reinforcement. If your child cleans his room for the first time without being prompted by you, then you might want to reward him through praise or taking him to a movie. On the other hand, if your child brushes his teeth only after you've asked him four times to do so, you may want to limit your reinforcement solely to praise.
Significance
If implemented correctly, positive reinforcement can have significant lasting effects to change behaviors. Your child can develop new behaviors and move away from the use of undesirable behaviors. The key is to understand the behavior you want to change and match the positive reinforcement with the behavior and with the specific child. Different children enjoy different things; when using positive reinforcement with your children be sure to match the reinforcement to them and you will see more success.
