Vijai P. Sharma, Ph.D
Methods which increase positive behaviors and do not involve physical punishment in any form are: 1 Token system. 2 Point system 3 PPH (Praise, Pats, and Hugs). 4 Cueing in and prompting. 5 Grandma's rule (Premack principle) 6 Behavioral rehearsal.
1. Token System: Use it with
children upto 7-8 years of age. A token is a
"token" for a reward. Let children
"cash" this token for a reward they want.
Large colorful poker chips make good tokens and small
children don't run the risk of swallowing them.
Keep a clear-glass small bottle (size of Gerber-baby food
bottle) in which the child saves tokens he/she
earns. This is the "piggy bank" of
tokens. The sight of the bottle swelling up with
bright colored tokens, can swell the pride and joy of
little ones. Perhaps, it will also make them
impatient. When the token bottle is full, exchange
it for rewards such as, ice-cream, toy, a trip to a park,
reading a story to your child, etc.
Keep tokens handy near by or, keep them in your
pocket. Tokens in your pocket are handy when you take
your children to a store and reward them for behaving in
the store. Every time, you see the child performing
the desired behavior, hand out a token and tell the child
what it is for. For example, "This is for
helping mom with the dishes or, cleaning your room or,
reading the story to your little brother,' etc.. Don't
make vague references, such as, "this is for being a
good kid." Always specify the behavior you are
rewarding . Reward immediately, not one hour later,
not after you finish the task on hand, but right
away. Immediacy of reward has a powerful
effect.
2. Point system: Use it with 8 to 15 or
16-year old children. Make a "list of good
behaviors." This should include child's
responsibilities as well. Assign points for each
behavior. Make a "list of inappropriate
behaviors" and assign points that you will subtract
if the child performed those behaviors. Make a
"weekly point-chart" which has Monday to Sunday
as columns, and in the rows, names of target behaviors
with totals at the bottom for each day. Review
child's performance, every day at the end of the day, and
total the points earned that day. Points may be
cashed by the child for cash and/or for special
privileges. Points may be cashed daily or at the
end of the week as per the child's
preference.
Follow the "rule of pocket money."
The rule of pocket money is that if a child performs all
the desired behaviors, the child should be able to earn
equivalent of the pocket money, if not more. The
second component of the rule of money is that "there
ain't no free lunches." Whatever the pocket
money you decide to give to your children, appropriate to
their age, let them earn it through their good behaviors
and by fulfilling their
responsibilities.
3. PPH: Good for children of all
ages. Do not underestimate the power of PPH,
praise, pats and hugs. These are social rewards
that make a child feel loved, honored, and valued as a
person. Very powerful stuff. I believe it was
Napoleon who recognized the power of the medals given for
bravery: an inch of metal, for which a soldier
would stake his life for or even die. When PPH are
not valued by a child, it is often a sign that the child
is experiencing a lot of anger, resentment, or conflict
in the relationship with the caregiver. Generally,
PPH should work as a powerful motivator for good
behavior. Use PPH for any or all good
behaviors that are not targeted in your token list or
point list. Whenever you catch your child
performing a good behavior, give a little
PPH. You can add extra power to any reward by
adding a little PPH to it. For example, when you
give a token or review the points earned for good
behavior, remember to praise, pat and/or hug your
child.
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Copyright
1996, Mind Publications
Dr. Vijai Sharma
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