Behavior Modification for Children

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Behavior Modification for Children

Are you looking for parenting techniques that help with behavior modification for children? If you are, this page is a good place to start.

Behavior modification for children is a topic with both proponents and critics. We have found that learning to apply behavior modification approaches can be helpful when you work within the limits of their effectiveness and combine them with other approaches as part of a total package of positive parenting techniques.

Read more for some background on this topic and for links to other great resources.

Photos courtesy of www.sxc.hu

A Brief History of Behavior Modification Concepts 

As far as we can tell, the concepts of behavior modification for children go back to ideas first written about in the early 1900's by Edward Thorndike. The ideas have grown and changed through research since then. B.F. Skinner (pictured at right), one of the most widely known proponents of behavior modification techniques, discussed the concepts in his work on operant conditioning.

Basically, behavior modification for children applies parenting techniques that attempt to mold, or shape, a child's behaviors through reinforcement or the lack of it.

Get more background information at Behavior Modification Techniques.

The Benefits of Applying Behavior Modification for Children 

The upside

Properly applied, behavior modification strategies can result in:

  • Fairly rapid behavior change.

  • More appropriate behaviors and fewer inappropriate behaviors.

  • Greater clarity of understanding between you and your children.

  • More objective evaluation of your children. (Less negative labeling of them.)

  • Less stress and conflict in your household.

The Dangers of Applying Behavior Modification for Children 

The downside

Here's where you can go wrong with this approach:

  • Used too heavily or too rigidly the approach can have significant negative impact on your relationship.

  • If you don't do your homework in advance of applying behavior modification techniques, you could unintentionally reinforce the behaviors you don't want to see.

  • You need to understand yourself and your children pretty well to effectively apply behavior modification techniques.

  • Used alone, without the added benefit of other, positive parenting techniques can encourage your children to "game the system" by behaving appropriately only when rewarded.

  • If you don't find ways to balance both positive and negative reinforcement, you will probably over apply one or the other. (Going too far either way has bad implications.)

How We Recommend You Apply Behavior Modification for Children 

A Balanced Approach



We have found that relying only on behavior modification for our children tends towards negative outcomes. We have also found that not using behavior modification techniques tends towards negative outcomes.

We are not psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, or social workers. We do not claim to be expert in every area of understanding this topic. We are simply parents and business professionals who have studied and applied what we learned along the way. We know what has worked for us, and we offer it in the hopes that our lessons will help you as well.

We have come to the conclusion that behavior modification works with children, if, and this is a big if, you make it one of your positive parenting techniques.

You can avoid many of the potential negatives of using behavior modification techniques by also applying these positive parenting tips.

We Recommend That You Do Two Things



First, you and each of your children complete a personality profile test.

Second, use a positive parenting system to apply behavior modification techniques.

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What is your experience with behavior modification for children?  

We're trying to offer a balanced perspective here. Please help us with both sides of the discussion.

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