Studies show that over 4 in 10 students often feel sad and hopeless, and 29% experience poor mental health. This can be alleviated by integrating mental health with education. An excellent way of doing so is by embracing positive reinforcement. 

Understanding the Ins and Outs of Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a means of introducing a pleasant stimulus after a behavior. Frederic Skinner developed the technique under the operant conditioning theory. 

Skinner was an American behaviorist, author, social philosopher, and psychologist. The Hamilton College and Harvard University graduate worked as a researcher and professor in several institutions. His incredible research skills and experience fostered his contributions to psychology, specifically positive reinforcement. 

According to the principle, if someone is rewarded for doing something good, he/she is likely to repeat it, and the opposite is also true.

Positive Reinforcement Techniques that Work in Classrooms

• Privileges 

Educators can grant students access to special treatment, like extra playing time, as positive reinforcement. 

• Verbal praise 

This is a means of praising a person for doing well. 

• Rewards 

Stickers and tiny toys can also be used as tangible prizes to uphold appropriate conduct.

• Social reinforcement

Social reinforcement involves using positive social interactions, such as smiles, high fives, or peer praise, to reinforce desired behavior.

• Intrinsic reinforcement

Intrinsic reinforcement is when a person finds the behavior to be inherently rewarding or enjoyable. 

For example, someone might enjoy playing a musical instrument simply because they find it to be a pleasurable experience

• Social reinforcement

This involves using positive social interactions, such as smiles and high-fives, to reinforce desired behavior.

• Prize Box

You can have a small container where you add trinkets from the dollar store for your students each time they behave well. This will help them develop good traits and stick with them.

• Reward Punch Cards

At Aspire Day School, our students enjoy having reward punch cards that allow teachers to track positive behaviors and ultimately reward students when they have their punch cards fully completed.

• Special Tokens

A token economy is introduced into a classroom so that when kids do the right thing, they receive a token that can be traded in for a gift. With such motivation, students will behave accordingly.

The Power of Positive Reinforcement on Kids’ Lives

When well-implemented, positive reinforcement can help kids overcome behavior challenges. This is because when they do well, they get rewarded, making them adhere to doing the right thing. Positive reinforcement is also vital in breaking learning barriers because students have a push to grasp content and pass tests.

Teachers can help build students’ self-esteem and confidence by rewarding them for positive habits. With this, they believe in themselves more and are willing to take on new challenges. 

When learners are positively reinforced, they feel valued for their contributions. This creates a more welcoming and inclusive learning environment.  

Positive Reinforcement at Aspire Day School

At Aspire Day School, we have centered our learning processes on positive reinforcement. We know when and how to encourage and reward good manners and impressive performances. With this, your child is always keen on making strides toward being an all-around great person.

Sources                                    

• Positive Psychology. (2019). 5 Positive Reinforcement Activities to Use in the Classroom. 
• Parenting For Brain. (2022). Positive Reinforcement Explained (10 Examples). 
• National Library of Medicine. (2022). Behavior Modification.
• Center for Student Achievement Solutions. (2021). Classroom Management: Positive Reinforcement
• IOWA State University. Reward-oriented Parenting and Positive Reinforcement
• The Tech Edvocate. (2022). POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW