5 Awesome Benefits of Positive Reinforcement in Children

Positive reinforcement is a technique used to encourage certain behavior by introducing a reward or stimulus following a behavior or action. This is a common technique used with children and can prove to be extremely beneficial for emotional development. However, when using this technique, understanding the child is particularly important because a stimulus that works for one kid may not work for another. For example, giving stickers as a reward for one kid may be great if that kid is into stickers, but for a kid who has no desire for stickers this will not be encouraging. Keeping this in mind, here are five impressive benefits of using positive reinforcement with children.

 

Feeling Loved 

More than anything else, we all want our children to feel loved. This molds the trajectory of children's emotional development and ultimate outlook on life. When considering which stimulus to use, it does not have to be grandiose. A great stimulus to consider can be as simple as a hug following a specific behavior. Research shows the significance of showing affection to children whereas anxiety is reduced, and happiness is increased. What is great about showing affection is that it is a universal stimulus. Arguably, all children can benefit from this form of positive reinforcement. 

Feeling Supported

Many of us, no matter the age, excel when feeling supported. Image how much more significant this is for a child during mental and emotional development. A child that feels supported often has remarkable success with character development. Commonly, the stimulus we use to help a child feel supported is giving praise to a child for behavior. Again, the stimulus does not have to be something extreme. Simply smiling or clapping back at a child after a behavior can help in altering how a child reacts in certain situations or environments for the better. 

Building Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is a state of being in which we value ourselves, respect ourselves, and feel good about ourselves. Feelings of love and support are great foundations for building self-confidence. When we are conscious about using positive reinforcement to enhance these feelings in children, we really can increase our children's self-confidence. Another awesome stimulus that can spike self-confidence is rewards. Kids hear the words "no" and "stop" continuously as they develop which does help them to learn right from wrong. Yet, introducing rewards to children for certain behaviors indicates they are doing something right. And children love the feeling of doing something right encouraging them to repeat the behavior, confidently. 

Making Healthy Choices

Another byproduct of positive reinforcement is that children can become equipped for appropriate decision making. When children are getting hand claps, high-fives, and rewards for good behavior, they simultaneously can develop the ability to make good decisions. They begin to associate certain decisions with the introduced stimulus reverting to choices that will benefit their lives in the long run. 

Becoming Self-Motivated

Self-motivation is the personal drive to reach an outcome. If we are using positive reinforcement efficiently, ideally our children will become self-motivated. No longer will we have to manipulate or coerce children into getting things done. Instead, creating a healthy environment with positive reinforcement will be the catalyst for our children's ambition, enthusiasm, and self-direction because they will have learned to believe in self. 

 

Final Word

There is a snowball effect that can occur from introducing positive reinforcement in children. As we have laid out here, this technique builds feelings of love, leading to feelings of support, leading to self-confidence, leading to healthy decision making, and leading to self-motivation. We have so much influence on children during their early years, so developing a strategy for utilizing positive reinforcement can be transformative.