Download Positive Reinforcement - Medford School District

MEDFORD SCHOOL
DISTRICT 549C
815 S. OAKDALE AVE
MEDFORD, OR 97501
Parent Resources
541.842.3628
SPECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST:

History of
positive reinforcement

Reinforcers

Extinction

Satiation

Beginning
positive reinforcement in
the home
PARENTING
RESOURCES:

nichcy.org

Love & Logic
Positive Reinforcement
Positive Reinforcement is a technique used by
Parents and Caregivers to modify their children's behavior by reinforcing desired behaviors. This technique has proven effective for
parents, teachers, coaches, leaders, and anyone responsible for a child or group of children.
The fact that it does not use pain, punishment, intimidation, yelling, degradation, humiliation, shame, guilt or other things that can
hurt the child, their self-esteem, emotional
growth, well-being or their relationship with
parent or caregiver has made positive reinforcement popular around the world and
used in many classrooms.
Positive Reinforcement is a familiar enough
term in modern society. It is a method of
behavior modification, can be effective with
children of different ages, and can be set up
to be used with groups of different aged children at the same time.
Positive Reinforcement For Children:
Positive reinforcement is when you add a
result that the child finds pleasant, such as
extra time reading or hanging out with a
friend. This added reinforcement increases
the likelihood of a child repeating the desired
behavior, such as using their words to solve a
problem instead of hitting.
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History:
Positive Reinforcement was pioneered by
such giants in the field of psychology as Ivan
Pavlov, Edward L. Thorndike, John B. Watson
and B.F. Skinner. Pavlov is familiar for his experiments with dogs salivating when hearing a
bell which they had been conditioned to associate with food. His work uncovered what
came to be known as classical conditioning.
Although many other people before and since
have contributed to our understanding
of Positive Reinforcement, no one has done
more to bring it to the forefront of the modern consciousness than B. F. Skinner. Skinner
coined the term operant conditioning and did
extensive work on its components including
and especially Positive Reinforcement.
Reinforcers:
When the desired behavior is done by the
child, a reward known as a reinforcer is presented to the child. Reinforcers are anything
that motivate the child in question and can
range from tangible items
to pleasurable activities or social recognition.
MEDFORD SCHOOL
DISTRICT 549C
815 S. OAKDALE AVE
MEDFORD, OR 97501
Parent Resources
541.842.3628
Positive Reinforcement
Ineffective Parenting Techniques:
 False threats and bluffs
 Bribes
 Yelling
 Spanking
 Threats
 Counting to three
 Guilt
 Permissive parenting
 Ignoring
 Lectures
 Withholding love
 Arguing
 Nagging
 Micromanaging
 Humiliation
Extinction and Satiation:
Extinction refers to a decrease in the likelihood that a behavior is going to occur based
on reinforcers having been removed. Extinction can be seen when a child stops throwing
tantrums when the parent wises up and stops
giving into their demands (the reinforcer). If
the child stops getting their way, the tantrums
will stop, or at the very least, decrease.
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Satiation is when the same reinforcer is repeatedly used to the point where it loses
some or all of its motivational effect. We may
love ice cream and get excited when someone offers us a bowl, but if you ate a bowl for
breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you would soon
tire of it and not nearly as excited at the next
announcement of another bowl.
Beginning Positive Reinforcement:
Creating your own positive reinforcement
system in the home will take time…be patient
with yourself and your child as you work to
shape their behavior. Remember to be consistent and make changes as needed.
Prepare your plan ahead of time. Discuss
rules and expectations with your child during
a calm or quiet time. Explain why rules are
necessary so your child can understand
where the rules are coming from; this understanding may help them follow the rules!
If you find yourself stuck for ideas, remember
to ask for help. Your child’s teacher would be
a great resource to problem-solve when it
comes to positive reinforcement.