The 7 keys to positive reinforcement

For many years there has been the belief that the best way to keep children from straying off the right path was punishment. But nothing could be further from the truth: the secret lies in giving real value to positive behaviours. In this way, we will be encouraging those attitudes that we consider important for our child to develop.

One of the greatest allies in the education of the little ones is positive reinforcement. In this article you will be able to discover what it is all about and what are the 7 keys to positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement is the set of actions whose purpose is to motivate, recognise and appreciate the efforts children make. As perfectly explained in this study carried out by the professional Marta Albert, it consists of offering the little one a pleasant, stimulating response every time they show appropriate behaviour.

Thus, little by little, they will understand that there are attitudes that please and make happy their parents, and others that, on the contrary, displease and sadden them. Naturally, the inclination will be to repeat the former and avoid the latter.

On paper it seems very simple, but when we put it into practice, difficulties arise. To make the way easier for you, here are the 7 keys to positive reinforcement:

Choose a moment when the child is calm, so that positive reinforcement fulfils its purpose. Mum or dad must make sure that their child is paying attention and understands everything that is being explained. Thus, all the conditions of the deal will be clear, before the behaviour we are looking for takes place.
Use words that express positivity. For example: “From now on, if after playing you pick up and tidy everything you have taken out of its place, you can watch 30 minutes of your favourite series“. The reinforcement, or reward, must be suited to the child’s preferences and age.
It is of the utmost importance to explain what we want to achieve. The concept of “behaving well” is too broad; we need to be more specific.
The reinforcement must be detailed. Clarifying a what, a when and a for how long. “You can watch your favourite series for 30 minutes if you leave everything in its place and tidy“.
The established time frame must be short or, on the contrary, use tools so that the child becomes aware of the value of their actions until achieving a long-term reward. An example would be the use of a reward card, through which different attitudes would be rewarded. Once this card has been stamped or coloured in, the longed-for prize would be obtained.
The positive reinforcement is the driving action that triggers the behaviour we are looking for. Therefore, it must be tempting, pleasant and, in the end, it has to motivate.
Do not neglect displays of love and affection. Affection, satisfaction, unconditional love, a kiss, a hug must accompany both successes and mistakes. If this aspect is not taken care of, the child may end up believing that their parents will only love them if they do things well. A belief that generates emotional instability and confuses the little ones.

We hope these tips are of great help to you. Once you put them into practice, you will immediately see how punishments decrease naturally.

Besides, at Crochetts we are always thinking of everyone who makes this magical world woven in crochet possible. That is why, to help you achieve those rewards that are so longed for, yet of so much value… We bring you the Crochetts Champion Card. With this Good Behaviour Card, putting the 7 keys to positive reinforcement into practice will be a piece of cake.

Download the Champion Card by Crochetts

What does the Crochetts Champion Card consist of?

This tool that we are proposing to you includes:

A space to write the child’s name, which makes it totally customisable.
20 boxes, on the front, which can be coloured in. This action will encourage the child to internalise it and become aware of their progress and of the great value of good behaviour.
Good Behaviour Card, on the back, with which good attitudes can be rewarded. The greater the effort, or the value of the action, the higher the score.
A space for setting the reward. As we have mentioned, it is very important to clarify what the benefit obtained from fulfilling the deal will be. At this point, it is very interesting to establish non-material positive reinforcement rewards. In this way, it is much easier to instil the great value of an afternoon at the cinema, a day at the zoo, a day at the beach, etc.

Ready to start this new stage? Don’t hesitate: you will be pleasantly surprised by the great effect that the 7 keys to positive reinforcement have, applied with the help of our super tool, the Crochetts Champion Card.

The 7 keys to positive reinforcement