Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is moving away from the past. We no longer offer punitive consequences for undesired behaviors like exclusionary time-outs or immediately sending students to the principal’s office. Instead, we now effectively implement positive reinforcement for desired behaviors, drawing attention to what we want to see rather than what we don’t want to see.

Ways I will implement positive reinforcement are by:

  • identifying targeted replacement behaviors

  • only reinforcing behavior after it is exhibited by the student

  • reinforcing behaviors gradually until they meet the expected metric

    • reinforcing a child for sitting still after 1 minute and working up to a full 10 minutes or longer.

  • Thinning reinforcement by using intermittent schedules as the student exhibits the desired behavior(s) more consistently.

Types of Reinforcement

Types of positive reinforcement I will use based on the students’ need:

  • Social reinforcers

    • behavior specific praise

    • high fives

    • “Good Words” home to family

  • Activity reinforcers

    • Granting student their favorite job

    • Giving student a special job that isn’t on the job chart

    • Letting the student choose or lead Music & Movement

    • Letting the student play with a toy or activity that isn’t in the common space of the classroom (board games or large floor puzzles that are stored in teacher cabinets)

  • Tangible reinforcers

    • stickers

    • tiny playdough container

  • Token reinforcers

    • Happy face token that goes in the token jar. Once a certain amount is collected, student will have a choice to extend one area of the day by 5 to 10 minutes depending on activity or earn the class a dress-up or pajama day.

  • Function-based reinforcers

    • After earning enough stickers on their chart, they can earn a pass for one small group session

    • For attention, they can lead the class in an activity, such as Alphardy, Counting, Music & Movement, or choosing friends to be excused to the next activity.