By Kim Padua
Getting our children to behave the way we want them to can be a struggle. We can use behaviour shaping and implementing reinforcement schedules to create positive behaviour outcomes and improve parent-child bond.
B.F. Skinner’s behaviour theory regarding Operant Conditioning – is catching the child being good and rewarding them for a job well done. Coupled with ignoring negative behaviours, can be the most effective combinations in managing behaviour. To take this further, implementing positive reinforcement in the most effective way that requires forethought and a planned-out schedule, no matter what approach is chosen.
Believe it or not, out children want to please their parents and other significant adults in their lives, but they seek success in their efforts, implementing the reinforcement schedules will establish both but only when implemented correctly and with patience. This take consistent efforts and is a long-term strategy. Choosing a method of implementation, coupled with flexibility can attain the best outcomes.
Continuous: Reinforcement follows every time a wanted behavior occurs.
Intermittent: Reinforcement follows some, but not all, wanted behaviors.
Fixed Ratio: Reinforcement follows a behavior when it occurs a specified number of times.
Fixed Interval: Reinforcement follows a behavior within a fixed time interval with at least one wanted behavior occurring.
Variable Ratio: Reinforcement follows a behavior after an unpredictable number of times a behavior occurs.
Variable Interval: Reinforcement follows a behavior within an unpredictable amount of time with at least one wanted behavior occurring.
In parenting, if reinforcement is the primary strategy for behavior modification, parents often jump between different schedules. And while this may work for some children and some behaviors, it may not work for others. Many factors play into the type of reinforcement schedule that will work best, including the child’s temperament, parenting style, mental challenges, and the specific behaviors that need to be reinforced or extinguished. Although continuous is the most effective for supporting wanted behaviors quickly, it can also cause those behaviors to stop when reinforcement stops. Switching to a variable ratio after an initial period of continuous reinforcement can create long term effectiveness for maintaining positive behaviors.
Incorporating any reinforcement schedule requires planning and patience. Parents must also be clear on the expectations of their children. Things such as “be good” do not give children any clarity of what they need to do or not do. When children understand why a specific behavior is good, they will be more motivated to succeed through effort and action. This approach ultimately lines up with the growth mindset theory. Additionally, using rewards that a child sees as valuable is vital. When we approach each child and each behavior with consistency and patience, we can reinforce positive behaviors that improve a child’s behavior and the bond they have with adults.
