TO REINFORCE CHILDREN

Although sometimes it is necessary to apply punishment to children, the best educational method is the use of rewards. Rewards must prevail in a good educational context. 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT REWARDS FOR CHILDREN 

It is the opinion of several people that parents must not reward children after they have completed their duty, or they will become too mercantilists.  The only reward must be the satisfaction for their duty. 

Bandura (1987) satirizes this opinion by pointing out that those who support it don’t apply the same criteria to their own jobs. In this case they prefer to obtain good money for their work. 

Another argument that can be used is that several studies have demonstrated that the behavior will increase when it is rewarded. If you give a reward to a kid when he has a good conduct, he will repeat this good conduct more and more in the future (Skinner, 1978). 

It is convenient to clear out that a reward is not only a material object. Recognition, congratulations, a hug, a kiss, a smile, even a look are more important prizes than usually thought. If you deny these rewards you deny also the development of their self-esteem, the scholars’ achievements and finally their happiness. It is also denying to yourself the satisfaction to see your child well educated.  

HOW TO MANAGE REWARDS FOR CHILDREN 

For a greater effect in the administration of rewards, it is necessary to follow some rules: to know what behaviors we want to reinforce and what rewards we will give and when, according to difficulty or requirements of the behavior in question. 

If you want to develop habits of study, for example, a series of guidelines must be followed, such as gradually increasing the level of demand, choosing an effective reward, and providing it only and immediately after the desired behavior has been executed. 

We could consider that a prize might be an expensive doll or a bicycle. But this prize would only serve to develop study habits as long as a series of specified requirements are carefully followed, in what is called: “Economy of tokens”. 

In my book WHAT DO I DO NOW? NO ONE TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE A MOM!  You will find 27 common problems in children from birth to 12 years. In relation to this specific issue of to reinforce children, you can review Developing habits through immediate reinforcement, Developing habits through token economy and Reinforcing behaviors.

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BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

Bandura, Albert (1987): Pensamiento y Acción, Publisher Trillas, Barcelona.

Skinner (1978): Análisis Conductual aplicado a la instrucción, Publisher Trillas, México.