Positive reinforcement is a powerful behavior management strategy that encourages children to repeat desired actions by offering a reward. By using positive reinforcement in your childcare program, you can build a supportive classroom culture and motivate young learners.
Generally, it is easier to notice and reprimand disruptive behavior. However, punishment may backfire, especially if a child misbehaves to gain attention. When you encourage desired behaviors through positive reinforcement—like smiling, nodding, and giving rewards—your children are more likely to repeat those behaviors. In this article, we will discuss different types of positive reinforcement, share examples you can use in the classroom, and highlight common mistakes to avoid.
What is positive reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement is a behavioral strategy that involves encouraging the repetition of a desired behavior by giving a reward after that behavior occurs. These rewards help children learn new behaviors or strengthen existing ones.
Positive reinforcement is a fundamental principle in operant conditioning, a theory developed by American psychologist B.F. Skinner. Operant conditioning is a learning method where the consequences of a behavior determine its likelihood of being repeated. Skinner reasoned that consequences follow human behavior. If the consequences are positive, humans repeat the behavior, but if the consequences are negative, humans do not repeat the behavior.
Research shows that using different positive reinforcement techniques helps to teach children, and it increases desirable behavior. This strategy is essential for managing children’s behavior in preschool effectively.
What is negative reinforcement?
Negative reinforcement is the removal of uncomfortable or negative stimuli to encourage desirable behavior. For example, if a child participates exceptionally well on a class project, you could exempt them from classroom chores for that day.
Although it’s easy to confuse negative reinforcement with punishment, the two are complete opposites. While negative reinforcement involves removing a negative result or stimuli to encourage a desired behavior, punishment involves applying a negative stimulus to reduce the repetition of the negative behavior. For example, a teacher might punish a child who didn’t finish a class assignment by denying them recess.
Negative reinforcement is sometimes mistaken as the opposite of positive reinforcement, but both are effective ways to encourage certain behaviors. Sometimes negative reinforcement is also confused with redirecting behavior, which involves turning a negative situation into a positive one—for example, distracting a child from having a tantrum by asking them to help you with a task.
Classroom Job Chart for Preschools
Use this free template to enhance classroom engagement and skill development.
Why is positive reinforcement important?
Positive reinforcement is important because it motivates children, builds their self-esteem, and creates a supportive learning environment. By utilizing this strategy, teachers can create a structured and encouraging space for young learners. Here are six key advantages of using positive reinforcement:
Encourages desired behavior
Positive reinforcement helps reinforce desired behaviors in preschoolers. When teachers acknowledge and celebrate positive actions, such as sharing, listening, or following instructions, children are more likely to repeat these behaviors. This promotes a positive classroom culture and encourages children to engage in appropriate and respectful conduct.
Boosts children’s confidence
When children have healthy self-esteem, they’re more likely to succeed in life. When you cheer children on because they kept their hands and feet to themselves or participated in a lesson, children develop a positive self-image and belief in their abilities. This, in turn, fosters a sense of pride and encourages children to develop a growth mindset, take on new challenges, and persist in their learning journey.
Increases children’s engagement
Children will likely become more eager to take part in classroom activities when they receive positive reinforcement of their behavior. If you have a timid child who’s not keen on participating in class, find something they do well and praise them for it. For example, if you notice a child putting away books neatly after use, say something like, “You did an amazing job putting away and organizing the books.” Knowing that they do something well motivates children to engage in that task and other activities.
Decreases time wasting in class
As a teacher, you probably spend a lot of classroom time managing behavior, for example, getting children struggling with in-seat behavior to settle down before and during a lesson or repeating instructions because some children keep talking while you’re speaking. Positive reinforcement can reduce disruptive behavior and save you valuable classroom time.
Makes children feel safe
Feeling safe at school improves children’s academic performance and productivity because the children feel connected to their teachers and peers in a supportive environment. In addition, positive reinforcement communicates to children that their teacher isn’t focused on their negative behavior but is interested in highlighting positive behavior, making them feel safe.
Improves teachers’ motivation and well-being
Rather than responding to disruptive behavior with negative comments, teachers using positive reinforcement focus on encouraging positive behavior. This practice is more likely to make teachers feel that they’re making progress with their children. When children display positive behavior, they are more engaged, and teachers can be more productive and enjoy a more pleasant and rewarding teaching experience.
Types of positive reinforcement
There are five main types of positive reinforcement: natural, social, activity, tangible, and token. Here is how these different strategies function in an early education setting:
Natural and direct reinforcement
Direct reinforcement occurs naturally in response to appropriate behavior, requiring no extra effort on your part. For example, if a child asks for something politely from you, they will get it. If a child interacts pleasantly with their peers, they will receive more invitations to group activities.
Social reinforcers
Social reinforcement involves children receiving positive feedback from teachers and peers for positive behavior. This feedback includes words like “Good work” and “Great job,” or actions like clapping, smiling, giving a thumbs up, or patting a child on the back. It also includes written feedback, like writing “Excellent” on a well-done assignment.
Activity reinforcers
Activity reinforcement involves allowing children to participate in their favorite activity if they engage in appropriate behavior. Activities can include drawing, coloring, having computer time, and playing games. Using activity reinforcers is even more effective when you allow children to involve a friend or two in the activity, as it also provides social reinforcement.
Tangible reinforcers
Tangible reinforcers are physical rewards given to children for appropriate behavior. For example, if a child struggling with in-seat behavior manages to sit still for an entire lesson, you can reward them with items like toys, snacks, or stickers.
Token reinforcement
Token reinforcement, also known as “token economies,” involves awarding children points or tokens for engaging in a targeted behavior. When children accumulate a certain number of tokens (e.g., stickers), they can exchange them for a chosen reward. For example, when children accumulate 10 stickers, they can choose a small item like a yo-yo or a rubber toy.
Examples of positive reinforcement by age band
To use positive reinforcement effectively, you must tailor your approach to the developmental stage of the children in your childcare program. What motivates a toddler will look very different from what motivates a kindergartener.
- Infants and toddlers (ages 0–2): Rely heavily on social and natural reinforcement. Use enthusiastic verbal praise, clapping, smiles, and high-fives when they share a toy or follow a simple direction.
- Preschoolers (ages 3–4): Introduce tangible and activity reinforcers. Let a child choose the book for storytime, give them a special sticker for cleaning up their station, or grant them a turn as the line leader.
- Pre-k and kindergarten (ages 4–6): Implement token economies and privilege-based rewards. Use behavior punch cards where they earn a larger prize after ten positive actions, or let them choose a classroom job for the week.
Positive reinforcement examples in the classroom
You can use positive reinforcement in different ways, depending on the behavior you’re targeting. Here are seven specific examples of positive reinforcement you can implement:
Verbal praise
When used effectively, verbal praise can reinforce positive behavior. The most effective types of praise emphasize effort and specific behaviors. For example, when a child writes their name, you can say, “You worked really hard on writing your name.” Avoid using ability-based praise like, “You are so smart.” Research shows that praising natural talent can threaten a child's self-worth if they later fail.
Positive note
When communicating with families, include a note praising their child’s behavior that day. With a tool like brightwheel's activity report feature, you can share a daily report summarizing their child's day. Include specific details, such as, “Today Sophie waited her turn to speak during storytime.” Children will feel proud when their families receive these updates.
Prize box
Children stay motivated to continue positive behavior when a prize is involved. Fill a box with low-cost trinkets like bouncy balls, plastic animal toys, stickers, or school supplies. You can hand out tokens to children behaving appropriately, and at the end of the week, they can go “shopping” for items worth the value of their tokens.
Special privileges
Awarding privileges is an excellent example of positive reinforcement that provides public recognition. For example, you might let a child choose their classroom chores, pick their seat for the day, or serve as your assistant for a specific activity.
Reward charts
A reward chart tracks specific behavior goals for children, providing space for reward stickers every time they engage in the target behavior. Make behavior goals clear and specific. Instead of writing “Be polite,” write “Say ‘please’ when asking for something.”
Behavior punch cards
A behavior punch card comes with a certain number of slots that you punch with a hole puncher each time a child engages in a desired behavior. Once all the slots are punched, the child receives a small reward and sets a new goal.
Stickers and written praise
When children complete assignments well, encourage them with colorful stickers and encouraging written comments. This simple but effective gesture motivates children to keep working hard.
Printable classroom rewards list
Creating a standardized list of rewards makes it easier for your staff to implement positive reinforcement consistently. Consider creating a printable classroom rewards list to display in your room. Include a mix of free privileges and small tangible items, such as:
- Choosing the classroom greeting for the morning
- Sitting in a special chair during circle time
- Bringing a favorite stuffed animal to school
- Picking the music during art time
- Earning an extra five minutes of outdoor play
Mistakes to avoid when using positive reinforcement
To make your positive reinforcement strategy successful, avoid these common classroom pitfalls:
- Being inconsistent: Positive reinforcement only works if you consistently reward the desired behavior. If you only reward a child occasionally, the behavior will not stick.
- Delaying the reward: Young children need immediate feedback. If you wait until the end of the day to praise a toddler for sharing in the morning, they will not connect the reward to the action.
- Using bribes instead of reinforcement: Bribing occurs when you offer a reward before a behavior to stop a negative action (e.g., "I will give you a sticker if you stop crying"). Positive reinforcement is earned after the child chooses to exhibit a good behavior. Bribing should never be used in the classroom.
- Ignoring individual preferences: A reward is only reinforcing if the child actually wants it. Make sure you tailor your rewards to the unique interests of the children in your childcare program.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is positive reinforcement?
A: Positive reinforcement is a behavior management strategy that involves giving a positive response or reward after a desired behavior occurs. This encourages the child to repeat the behavior in the future and helps build a supportive learning environment.
Q: What are examples of positive reinforcement for preschool?
A: Examples for preschool include giving verbal praise for sharing a toy, offering a sticker for cleaning up a play station, or letting a child choose a classroom job after following instructions.
Q: How is positive reinforcement different from bribery?
A: Positive reinforcement is earned after a child demonstrates a desired behavior, while bribery is offered beforehand to stop a negative behavior. Positive reinforcement builds long-term habits, whereas bribery only provides a short-term fix.
Conclusion
Positive reinforcement in the classroom is a proven way for educators to instill proper behavior and create a productive learning environment for all. It might take some time to figure out which strategies work best for your classroom, but with consistency, you will make progress toward cultivating great behavior.
To help structure your positive reinforcement strategy, download our free Classroom Job Chart Template! This behavior support resource makes it easy to assign responsibilities and reward children for contributing positively to your childcare program.
