How to Reward Children for Good Behavior Without Food
Positive reinforcement is an effective method to help children learn and use positive behaviors. When children are rewarded immediately and enthusiastically for exhibiting the desired behavior, they repeat that behavior. With positive reinforcement, adults help build children̵7;s self-esteem. Through some positive reinforcement methods, children can also learn to set and meet long-term goals. Though food is one reward for desired behavior, many other forms of rewards are available to parents and teachers.
Things You'll Need
- Behavior Chart
- Magnetic, dry erase or metal board
- Magnetic stars or designs
- Stickies
- Coupons or play money (optional)
Instructions
Behavior Chart
Buy or make a behavior chart and put your child̵7;s name on it. Identify the behavior you want your child to do. If you are making the chart, write the days of the week across the top and a list of the desired behaviors down the side. Let your child personalize his chart by drawing on it or decorating it. Help your child to create a list of rewards. The reward must be something your child enjoys. Decide with your child how many times a week she must exhibit the desired behavior to earn a reward. Also, scale the child̵7;s rewards. For example, if the child performs the behavior two times, she may earn a yo-yo. If she performs the behavior 10 times, she may earn a movie. Put the chart in a place where your child will see it, such as on the fridge or in the hall by her bedroom, so it will remind her of the desired behavior. Place a sticker or points earned (for older children) on the chart whenever he performs the desired behavior. Praise your child for his accomplishments. At the end of the week, review the chart with your child and give her the reward(s) she has earned. Gradually scale out the chart as your child internalizes the behavior. Different Forms of Rewards
Identify a variety rewards for your child, ranging from small, inexpensive items to moderately priced ones for difficult behaviors. Examples of inexpensive rewards are markers, noise-makers and notepads. Examples of moderately priced rewards include game and movie rentals, a ticket to a concert, clothes and a monetary contribution to something your child wants. Remember to include rewards that do not cost anything, such as a bike ride, a trip to a museum, staying up late or a sleepover. Use a variety of types of rewards for your child, including sensory (hugs, blowing bubbles or listening to music); verbal or social (thumbs up, hugs, pats on the back and smiling); material (pens and pencils, books and movie tickets); and general (tokens and points). General rewards often are redeemed for something else when the child accrues a specific number. Use coupons or play money to give your older child more choices. Have your child make a list of things he likes to do. Then assign a value to each item. When your child earns enough ̶0;money̶1; or coupons, he can trade them in for the reward. Use bonuses. When your child does something positive, give her a bonus. A bonus could be letting her sleep late on the weekend, buying additional minutes for her phone or giving her a night off from one of her chores. Verbal Rewards
Verbally reward your child for exhibiting desired behaviors. Make it a point to ̶0;catch your child doing something good.̶1; Praise your child as soon as she exhibits the desired behavior. State exactly what you are praising your child for doing. For example, say, ̶0;You did a great job cleaning your room today.̶1; Recognize your child for part of a behavior he does correctly, even if he doesn̵7;t get it all right. For example, if the only part of cleaning his room your child accomplished was picking up his clothes, tell him, ̶0;You did a good job of picking up your clothes.̶1; At a later time, review all the tasks involved in cleaning his room. Praise your child as often as possible. Aim to praise your child four times (or more) for every time you correct her. The praise must be deserved and genuine.
