Behavior Modification for Children

Goal Setting

• The process of shaping behavior is gradual, which is why behavior modification generally includes a plan of short- and long-term goals. If a child were refusing to do any homework whatsoever, short-term goals would focus on a gradual increase of schoolwork completion. The long-term goal would be for her to complete all homework as assigned. All goals must be measurable, for example, "Susie will complete at least 50 percent of her assignments this week." By incrementally working toward the desired change, confidence builds with each achievement, and long-term goals become more realistic.

Positive Reinforcement

• We learn behaviors by the results they net for us, so behavior-modification plans include reward for positive behaviors. Rewards can be as simple as verbal praise or as elaborate as a weekend at the amusement park. They should, however, be fitting to the achievement. Visual representations of rewards and marked progress are helpful at home and in school. By coloring or placing stickers on charts for each achievement, the child can view his own progress and see how much closer he is to receiving his reward.

Negative Reinforcement

• Negative reinforcement with children differs from what the term implies---it's not a punishment. According to Kelly B. Cartwright, Ph.D., a child-development researcher, one reward for children is our agreement to eliminate something they find unpleasant, if only temporarily. If the child who is struggling with homework does not like to do her daily chore of washing dishes, her parent can agree to wash the dishes for one week if she meets her first short-term homework goal. This is temporarily removing something the child perceives as negative, which encourages her to work toward adoption of the positive behavior.

Punishment and Extinction

• Although negative reinforcement itself is not a punishment, behavior modification does include negative consequences for undesirable behaviors. Punishment is enforcing negative consequences for undesirable behaviors, such as suspending a teenager's phone privileges if she does not complete schoolwork. Some children will act out because it results in attention, although negative attention, from parents and teachers, which is when "extinction" may be more appropriate than punishment. Extinction is ignoring the outbursts or issuing a "time-out" when a child whines or acts out in an attempt to manipulate others.

Considerations

• Consistency is essential with behavioral modification---the child must know what to expect in return for her behaviors, be it reward or consequence. In some scenarios, cognitive-behavioral therapy may be more beneficial than just behavior modification, as it focuses on both behaviors and thought processes. Please seek the help of a licensed therapist if your child is struggling with emotional and/or behavioral issues at home or in school.