Reinforce the Skills
Using Reinforcers to Encourage Good Behavior
We want children to do the right thing, not just when supervised, but when no teachers are around. This means children must develop a thought system that values the caring and responsible behaviors encouraged by the SECOND STEP program.
Reinforcing activities, like recognizing positive behavior with SECOND STEP Hearts or using verbal reinforcers with older children, contribute to educational moments that help children understand why positive behaviors are important and think of themselves as caring and responsible people.
Children learn best when teachers repeatedly provide information in ways that are memorable to the child. SECOND STEP Hearts provide occasions for small conversations about the value of kind, friendly, and cooperative behaviors. Research shows that reasoning about other people's feelings and welfare is especially important for children's development.
Memorable Moments
When teachers pair reasoning with SECOND STEP Hearts, children remember the message in conjunction with the warmth of feeling appreciated. A small, easily forgotten incident can become a memorable educational moment: "Maia, I gave you a Heart because you helped Quinton up when his tricycle tipped over. He was a little scared, and you helped him feel better."
When the day's Hearts are deposited in the collection jar, teachers can extend this conversation to the class by asking children to reflect on their kind and helpful behaviors. This helps the reinforced child remember the message. Teachers can then ask classmates to imagine, for example, how much Quinton appreciated Maia's help, an excellent empathy exercise.
Indeed, verbal reinforcement is a powerful tool. Teachers can ask students in kindergarten and older to nominate classmates for appreciation, perhaps cueing them to watch for specific behaviors just before recess. Both the reporting child and the recognized child are given appreciative attention, so children learn to look for positive behavior in others—a lifelong skill.
Changing Self-Image
Recognition for good behavior can also help children change their self-concept. Children who are having difficulty adjusting to school may not recognize the good things they do. They may think being good is out of their reach and make no effort to improve. Reinforcers can help change children's destructive beliefs about themselves.
In sum, reinforcing activities are paired with information that helps children:
- Associate their positive efforts with a warm, appreciative moment.
- Understand how their positive actions can help others.
- Recognize and respond to the positive efforts of others.
- Develop a belief in their own goodness.
- Recognize that society values kind, useful, and cooperative behavior.
- Adopt positive values that will guide behavior throughout their lives.
SECOND STEP Hearts are included in the Preschool/Kindergarten kit.
Karin S. Frey, Ph.D.
Research Scientist