The power of positive reinforcement

The power of Positive Reinforcement for Kids Just like any adult, all children need rather expect their due recognition. When their success and efforts get praised, there is an element of push to the positive side to their personality. When we as adults appreciate children for attempting something new or advancing efforts to achieve something, it not only motivates them but also lets them know how much they are capable of. And that is the first step to “recognition”. But, why is recognition so important? Read on to know what India’s top international schools follow to enhance the personalities of their students through the efficient tool called “recognition.”

Inculcating positive reinforcement through recognition Children respond positively to appreciation and recognition. They take a leap of happiness when parents praise them for their effort and attempts, and more so, when their teachers do. Like a hike for the employee, a tip for the bearer, a cookie or a verbal praise like “good job” for the kid can work wonders. It does not have to be something material always. Words have the power to channelize their positive energy into something more productive.

Putting to practice the ancient technique 

Positive reinforcement is an age-old technique used to encourage acceptable and good

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behaviour in children.

Rewards for children can be anything from letting them play their favourite game or dancing in the rain to smaller treats like a cookie every time he/she does the math problem right.

Although this sounds interesting, there is an unseen side to this too. 

Well, the unseen side is that, you may actually start doubting if they ever will solve the math

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problem right knowing they will not receive a cookie this time.

What then becomes important is, knowing when to provide the positive reinforcement.

What should you focus on to enrich the positivity?

The strength of “Positive reinforcement” doubles with “recognition.” Facilitators in most of the Bangalore schools believe in this strongly.

A child definitely needs to know what behaviour of his/her is laudable. Also, another critical point is that there cannot be a positive reinforcement for every good step the child takes. With progressing

times and enhanced educational scenarios, India’s top International Schools take the challenge seriously.

The Bangalore Schools are known to keep the entire process specific, by way of not rewarding for every step the child takes and keeping it specifically to some exclusive milestones that add to personality shaping.

On the flip side, what needs more attention is, the children should at no point feel their parents or teachers are judgemental. So, the issue is tacky and needs to be handled effectively so as to give an impression that you are actually recognizing his/her effort, even when the child does not bring out the desired output.

The power of praise Praise is indeed a powerful tool to motivate and encourage learning. Praising the right person at the right time for the right action is indeed an art. Positive reinforcements are the sure way to bring out the best behaviour from your child. While you appreciate them, remember, you are also motivating them to perform even better and that shapes their behaviour, thought process and eventually the personality.

Watch and catch the child while doing “good” and say encouraging words. When you catch them doing something odd, sit them down and remind them of the good they do and the appreciation they get for the same. That way, you are actually encouraging the child to repeat that behaviour more. That is the first step to your child recognizing the value of his/her own actions and qualities.

Children pick up ideas, actions and words from adults, be it parents or teachers. So, as adults we must become their ideals and that’s how we inspire them to be better individuals tomorrow!