Child Behavior Modification

You cannot have any kind of control on your child's behavior and temperament. It's a natural trait, not only in children but in all of us. However, you can always work to get some kind of modification in your child's behavior - a positive one of course! Most parents try to beg, plead, punish or urge to get their kids' co-operation, and if they don't, their usual phrase is 'Or else!' This is where parents commit the greatest blunder and worsen their child's behavior. Parents should tie a knot to this fact that influencing their child's behavior is far more successful and effective than just controlling it. Effective parenting skills, which is the most important strategy in a child behavior modification process, includes positive parenting tips and techniques.

Praise the Child
Try to teach some new behavior and concept to your child that he or she has never learned before. This technique consists of recognizing the child's appropriate behavior and consistently offering rewards and praises at positive consequences. It holds true in classrooms too. You can keep a close watch on the behavior (or something close to it) that you want to see in a child. For example, if you want a child to sit quietly in his/her seat, and he abides to that, praise it right away! Do not wait for so long that he begins to squirm and finally you have to scold him. Immediate reward or praise is what is required to let your child know that he must behave in a manner like you want him to. Your child will eventually know that this is what pleases you and he, too, will feel good about it. It is an obvious fact that a child develops a positive feeling if his/her good behavior is noticed and praised - we all do!

Make a List
Identifying desirable behavior in your child is important too. You can start with behavior such as sharing, cooperation, honesty, kindness, and responsibility. You can also use a chart for listing down other specific tasks or behavior that you want to improve in your child and reward him/her for exhibiting each one of them.

Decide for the Reward
The best way to decide for a reward is to know your child's preference and it is meaningful too. If the child is able to carry out the behavioral tasks in a particular day, then the reward is given. This technique is considered to be the most rational way for your child to realize that her/his action and 'hard work' is being verbally recognized and praised. Rewards may include simple toys, baseball cards, stickers and whatever is a source of motivation for your child.

The Don'ts List
Apart from making a list of desirable behavior, as described above, there is also a need to list all specific behavior that may cause your child to lose the rewards. Common examples are non-compliance to a request, arguing, tantrums, etc. Let your child know that shunning these and similar kind of behavior will earn him more rewards and points. Be careful about using words which may sound like a 'warning' to your child; be gentle yet assertive!

Review and Follow Ups
Consistency in following all such techniques is required for the plan to be successful in molding your child's behavior. Review and praise the child's progress in performing the behavioral tasks everyday; this will help your child in keeping up with the changing situation. The child behavior modification plan works effectively depending on the parent's expectations and rightful rewards for meeting those expectations.

Remember the fact that your child's undesirable behavior may be the outcome of lack of attention and recognition. So, changing or influencing the behavior requires a child to unlearn things and learn some new things. This is where, a behavior modification plan takes a crucial turn. It is most likely that your child will be less co-operative to things that are new to him and uncomfortable at times. However, consistent effort with 'lots of love' on your part will eventually make things easier. We all know that, maintaining good behavior at all times is difficult even for adults, and when it comes to kids, they still have a long way to go!