Most children learn to act accordingly by imitating others, especially their parents. Yet some pick up bad habits along the way and don’t learn that these behaviours aren’t good. When left unchecked, this demeanour remains until adolescence and adulthood. Changing those bad habits is one thing, but making them stick is another story.
Here’s where behaviour modification therapy steps in. It involves therapists and parents reinforcing the right behaviours in small, consistent ways. But how do you sustainably reinforce positive behaviour in children? This piece breaks it down.
Set Clear and Achievable Behavioural Goals
Every plan begins with specific goals; kids act best when they know what’s expected of them. Start with clear instructions and behavioural expectations. They shouldn’t be too vague, like ‘behave’ or ‘be good.’ Defined goals include, ‘Raise your hand before speaking in class’ or ‘Put all the toys back in the box after playtime.’
Make sure the goals match the child’s age and developmental stage. What works for a ten-year-old might be difficult for a four-year-old to achieve. When the child meets that goal, offer them positive reinforcement by giving them praise or a reward to build their confidence. They start to see themselves as more capable individuals.
Continuous support for positive behaviour also ensures their good actions carry over as they grow up. Over time, their attitude becomes a part of their identity, not just a trick they do for treats.
Choose the Right Reinforcement Strategies
Different people have varying motivations. So, if one child responds best to verbal praise, another one lights up at tangible rewards like stickers or a small token. A pleasant stimulus falls under extrinsic motivators that encourage a child to repeat desirable behaviours.
Simultaneously, you must nurture intrinsic motivation or the natural satisfaction of doing something right. An example of this is a child feeling proud after tidying their space.
Reinforce positive behaviour by combining both methods for a more effective strategy in behaviour modification therapy. Pairing tangible reinforcers like a reward chart with genuine encouragement can be truly motivating. The child should understand why they’re being rewarded so that they can connect their actions with the positive outcome.
Time Your Reinforcements Appropriately
Timing matters when you want to reinforce positive behaviour. The closer the reward or praise is to the behaviour, the stronger the connection in the child’s mind. For example, if a child cleans up without being told to and you give immediate positive feedback, they’re more likely to repeat that behaviour.
When starting behaviour modification therapy, you’ll want to provide positive reinforcement frequently. Doing this helps curb undesirable behaviours before they worsen. It also helps the child learn what’s expected of them and feel successful in doing something good.
But as time passes, it’s best to give reinforcement intermittently. Offer praises occasionally rather than every single instance. The child’s behaviour becomes more durable and less dependent on external rewards.
Avoid Common Pitfalls in Behaviour Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement may be a powerful tool, but it could work against you and the child when overused. A common mistake many parents make when trying to reinforce positive behaviour is over-relying on rewards. If a child receives a prize or token every time they follow directions, they may stop the behaviour when the rewards pause.
Another pitfall is accidentally reinforcing negative behaviour. Many kids whine and cry to get attention, even if it’s a scolding. What matters is that they get a reaction. So, you must be careful about what behaviour you’re reinforcing and remain consistent in rewarding the good ones.
Speaking of being consistent, inconsistency is another issue. If you offer positive reinforcement one day but don’t do the same the next, you’ll confuse the child. Consistency builds trust and helps them understand expectations.
Promote Internal Motivation Over Time
The goal of behaviour modification therapy is to instil in a person the desire to do the right thing because they want to. To do this, you must build internal motivation in a child by encouraging self-reflection. Ask them, ‘What are you proud of today?’ or ‘How did it feel helping your friend out?’ Kids will notice their own good behaviour through these questions, taking pride in the right thing.
Giving children choices also fosters independence. Offer options, such as ‘Would you like to feed the dog tonight or set the table?’ Kids who have a say in how they contribute to the family or society take ownership of their actions. This, in turn, builds stronger internal motivation and improves personal growth.
Sustain Positive Behaviour Long-Term
To reinforce positive behaviour and sustain it, gradually reduce offering external rewards. Focus more on social reinforcement, like feedback, and maintain effective routines and structure. Children thrive best in predictable environments. Clear expectations and consistent schedules encourage good habits and positive actions without praise or prizes.
As a parent or guardian, continue supporting your child. They need to feel safe and seen. When they know that you notice and appreciate their efforts, the more they’ll keep doing their best. A supportive environment also protects your child’s mental health.
Celebrate every progress, too. Perfection isn’t the answer, but rather, a gradual positive change. For instance, if your child used to throw tantrums daily and now does it weekly, that’s an improvement worth recognising.
To Conclude
The core of reinforcing positive behaviour in kids isn’t bribing or spoiling them to behave. It teaches them to make good choices and feel great about it. When done correctly, it encourages better behaviour, social skills, and self-esteem.
Partnering with a licensed child behavioural therapist can help you develop an ideal positive reinforcement strategy for your kid. Do your own research, too. The more you understand behaviours and therapies, the more you can help your little one improve.
