Increasing Compliance: Use of an Encouragement Strategy

When it comes to increasing compliant behaviors, there are many things to keep in mind. Teaching expectations for your child through your positive encouragement involves the use of reinforcements. These reinforcements target those specific behaviors that you are wanting to increase in many different ways. Find one that is best for your family!

If you are wanting your children to brush their teeth more, make sure to state the effective direction in a positive yet directive tone of voice. "Kiddo, go to the bathroom and brush your teeth now, please." Then wait a few seconds for your child to self-start and comply with your direction.

When your child complies, be sure to immediately praise for following directions right away in order to have your child learn and retain the information. The more repetitive we can be with highlighting behaviors and rewarding your child for those positive and compliant behaviors, they will more likely utilize those skills in the future. You will begin to see the importance of setting up your child for success and then rewarding them when they utilize more appropriate behaviors!

5 Things to Remember:

1. Set goals and teach children what they need to do to earn the incentive. Incentives should be easy for you to give and are meaningful to your children. Incentives can range from extra time on electronics, extra time playing outside, special one-on-one time with a parent/caregiver, small toy from the dollar store, special dessert or treat, and what ever you and your child can come up with!

2. Use incentive charts and other structured systems. Place charts in a spot that is visible to everyone! Charts help parents and children remember the details of their agreements and increase opportunity for you to focus on your children's positive behaviors. Be sure to monitor charts and systems frequently and carefully!

3. Create and capitalize on opportunities for children to be successful. Pair praise with instrumental rewards, such as points and tally on a board, stickers, and loops (what is used in session). These can be found at any craft stores! When they are almost to their goal line you can state: "You're almost there! If we behave well at the store we have the opportunity to make it to the top and get a prize!"

4. Make steps smaller to encourage progress towards the goal, making them small and more achievable. Be sure to pair them with positive statements like: "You can do it!"and "You got this!"

5. When you're out and about, be sure to notice appropriate behavior, and remeber that perfection in not required. Look for opportunities to prompt your children and be generous with praise and attention for those behaviors. Remain consistent with your expectations, soon you'll start to notice that you sound like a broken record "now please", "now please", "now please"! Remember to take tokens with you while you are out in the community so that your children can be noticed for compliant behaviors outside of the home.

Encouragement does NOT limit you from giving your children positive attention at other times. Encouragement promotes a focus on the positive!

• Be Specific: Describe behaviors

• Be Short: Use fewer words to clarify expectations.

• Be Sincere: Use positive body language, facial expressions, tone of voice.

• Be Clear: Keep your agreements.

• Be Consistent!

For example:

Scenario 1: Parent wants child to put clothes away. "Kiddo, hang your clothes up in your closet now please." Once the child completes task: "Thank you for putting your clothes away." Then provide token for compliant behaviors.

Scenario 2: Parent is at the store and kiddo typically will yell or scream. Before kiddo enters the store, pre-teach by stating expectations: "Kiddo, when we are at the grocery store, please use an inside voice." Notice when your child is not screaming or talking loud and state: "Nice job using an inside voice." Then be sure to provide a token for compliant behaviors.

Scenario 3: Parent gives direction for middle school aged child to self-start on homework when coming home from school. It took a couple days with prompting by the parent, however, on day three their child immediately got homework from their backpack and placed it on the table before their parent provided a direction. Parent will then recognize compliant behaviors: "You got started on your homework on time. Great!" Then provide token for compliant behaviors.

Once your child has earned enough tokens (you decide how many is needed) then they can get their incentive. Be sure to remain consistent in recognizing when behaviors increase and following through with incentives and prizes. Attempting these skills 70% of the time is good enough as you and your child continue learning new ways to increase compliance and have more positive interactions!