POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT: How to effectively encourage positive behaviors

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

Learning how to provide positive reinforcement for your child can help to create a more positive and ideal BEHAVIORS. Teaching your children that there are consequences for every action teaches them how to think and problem solve for themselves when they are out in the world.

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·         POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT- Simply means encouraging good behaviors

·         CONSEQUENCES- are the result of a behavior. (whether it was a positive or negative behavior)

·         BEHAVIORS- a person’s actions.  (What he or she does or says)

Think about these POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES (or incentives):

Work = Paycheck    

Sleep = Energy   

Medicine = Feeling Better  

Asking for Help = Receiving Help

Examples of POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT can be:

• High 5
• Encouragement
• Praise
• Hug
• Thumbs Up
• Clapping
• Cheering
• Privileges
• Rewards

(Privileges may include extra TV or electronics time, later bedtime, choosing what to eat for dinner, etc.)

*POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT may be the most effective

when provided immediately after a desired BEHAVIOR. *

Examples of BEHAVIORS to Reinforce Positively:

Using manners
Playing Quietly
Asking Permission
Chores
Playing nicely with others
Helping Others
Making an Effort or Trying
Following Directions Immediately

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT can also be used when a child has not done something correctly. Giving the child praise for what they have done right is more encouraging than putting them down for “failure.”

Example: “I am proud of you for asking permission to eat candy.  Next time can you wait for mommy to finish speaking?”

Example: “I noticed that you picked up some of your toys in your room. I am proud of you for doing your chores.  I see another toy on the floor. Can we put that one with the others?”