Many parents want to teach their toddlers to be responsible and kind. Positive reinforcement is a useful child care technique that can help caretakers encourage positive behaviors and eliminate negative ones. Learning how to apply this method at home can make parenting a little easier. Here’s a guide to get you started.

What Is Positive Reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement is the act of rewarding good behaviors. A parent can use positive reinforcement to encourage their toddler to pick up their toys, put their clothes on independently, brush their teeth or hair without fuss, and share toys.

Positive reinforcement relies on a reward system, such as clapping, praising, or getting excited to encourage good behaviors. You can also make a sticker chart and give your child a surprise when they reach a certain number of stickers. Many preschools and child care centers operate on these reward systems, and employing them at home can help with school preparation.

How Can Parents Use Positive Reinforcement?

To use the technique effectively, you need to connect the reward to the behavior and be consistent. If your toddler sat well throughout dinner, praise them and let them choose their dessert. If they picked up their toys after making a mess, give them a little more playtime the next day.

Once you’ve started using positive reinforcement, use it consistently. Reward new efforts, progress, and wanted behaviors each time your little one exhibits them. This also means focusing on the positives. For example, if you ask your child to pick up their blocks and they become distracted halfway through, praise them for the progress they made instead of scolding them for stopping. This way, they’re likely to resume the task to receive more praise.

Also, avoid accidentally reinforcing unwanted behaviors. Admonishing your child when they engage in attention-seeking actions—such as constantly asking you for an item—gives them the attention they crave, so it may be best to just ignore them.

If you’re looking for a child care center that will help your little one develop emotionally and socially, turn to Penn Garden Day Care Center Inc. in Monroeville, PA. Since 1977, they’ve offered day care services for children up to 12 years old in the areas of Penn Hills, Plum, and Murrysville. Their curriculum encourages growth, politeness, sharing, and independence. With over 80 years of combined experience, their degreed instructors are certified in CPR and first aid. Learn more about their programs online, and call (412) 372-4144 to discuss enrollment.