5 Behavior Modification Techniques In Children
Behavior modification techniques in children are methods that aim to change problem behaviors. Many children lie, disobey, insult, challenge, and sometimes are aggressive. Therefore, using these techniques can help us to improve these behaviors.
In education it is very important not to use violence, because with it we cannot modify the inappropriate behaviors of our children. On the contrary, since we will damage their development. Behavior modification is achieved through techniques that help you know what they can and cannot do.
Do you want to know what techniques you can use to improve your child’s behavior? Keep reading.
Behavior modification techniques in children
Technique of “time out”
This technique is very easy to apply to modify problem behaviors. It consists of taking the child away to a place that does not have positive reinforcers for him. It has to be a place away from toys and any distractions; the idea is that it is a boring place for them.
The time that we will leave it without stimuli will be proportional to the age of the child ; we will add a minute depending on how old you are. We must take this very into account because, if we spend time, this technique will end up being aversive for them and that is not what we want to achieve. It is important that we use this technique right after the problem behavior appears.
Technique of “extinction”
It consists of suppressing everything that can reinforce the unwanted behaviors of the child. The little one expects to be rewarded for his behavior, whether it is positive or negative. When the behavior that a child has is negative, parents tend to scold him and give him the attention he is looking for, even through bad behavior.
When we use this technique, it is important that we always use a rewarding substitute as, if we totally ignore them, children can feel displaced. Keep in mind that this technique is not recommended for dangerous behavior.
For example: if a child tells us “You never listen to me!” or “You don’t love me anymore!” , what we have to do is divert the subject, ask him for something else, thus, we will not pay attention to what he tells us. We will use something gratifying to extinguish our attention response.
“Token Economy”, one of the most widely used behavior modification techniques
This behavior modification technique in children is one of the most used and, in addition, it is very fun, both for children and for parents.
It consists of carrying out a reward system : the child will receive a prize if the desired behaviors (setting the table, picking up their toys, doing homework, brushing their teeth, etc.) that we have previously established have been carried out. These rewards do not have to be material, since they can be, for example, going on a picnic day, going to the movies, etc.
- How to do it?
We can use a cardboard and on it put the desired behaviors that we want the child to perform. We will establish a point system, which can be green stickers when doing the behavior and red when not doing it. Each reward will have a number of points that we will have agreed between all of us. When the desired points are reached, you can get the reward.
Relaxation technique to decrease anxiety
If the child is agitated, nervous, anxious, we will use relaxation, that is, we will give him the opposite stimulus to what he is feeling. Relaxation consists of contracting and relaxing all the muscles of the body in order to enter a state of relaxation, regardless of the redundancy.
There are several methods to make children relax in a playful way that is, in addition to relaxing, fun.
Conduct contracts technique
This technique consists of a written contract by the parties involved (parents-children, teacher-student, psychologist-patient). This must be done around a negotiation between all, and it will establish the behaviors and consequences that the student must do and obtain.
In this contract, the agreed behaviors to be performed and the consequences of not performing them must be clear. These consequences should be mild, so as not to discourage the child, and always consistent with the negative behavior that has been carried out.
On Behavior Modification Techniques in Children
These behavior modification techniques in children can improve their negative behaviors. Thus, they will enrich their well-being and emotional development. It is very important that, if the child does not improve or does not respond adequately to these techniques, a specialist is consulted so that they can help you.
