’Mind your manners’ and other pro-social behaviors in young children Gina Kunz, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Research Assistant Professor, UNL Rachel Valleley, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Munroe Meyer Institute Licensed Psychologist

Mind Your Manners What are Important Prosocial Behaviors Young Children Need to Learn?

Important Prosocial Skills Smiling / pleasant with others Polite words (“please,” “thank you”) and polite voices (“inside voice“) Eye contact Comforting others Sharing Waiting turn Help clean up Help others Table manners

How do young children learn prosocial skills? Observing others Incidentally trying it out themselves and good (desirable) things happening Structured activities

Not all children learn prosocial skills easily Some need structured learning opportunities –Models - “Do what I do” –Practice –Praising/motivators –Pointing out –Prompting

Rewards as Motivators Children may not learn all prosocial skills incidentally Need some type of external motivator to encourage prosocial behaviors Rewards can fall into different categories that are particularly appropriate for young children –Tangibles- Social Activity –Privileges- Edibles –Special time with caregiver - Escape

Common Objections to Using Tangible Rewards Rewarding children for good behavior is bribery Shouldn’t reward children for what they should already do Expect rewards for everything

Developing a Reward Program 1. Develop a list of potential rewards (Preference Assessment) 2. Identify target behavior to reward 3. Identify frequency of opportunities for reward (more frequent, the better)

Preference Assessments Before developing any incentive program, determine what the child likes by –Watching what they chose when many options available or over time –Pair objects together and ask which they prefer –Have child make a list of reinforcers Develop list of rewards

Identify target behavior to reward Saying please or thank you Sharing toys Giving eye contact

Identify frequency of opportunities for reward Each time behavior is seen Every 15 minutes At a specified time Keep in mind the more frequent, the better AND setting goals that are attainable

Examples of structured reinforcement programs Individual Reward programs –Grab Bags / Treasure Chests –Dot-to-dots –Magic Circle Charts Group Contingencies

Grab Bags Write down list of “reinforcers” on index card Place in box/bag Figure out how you will let child know when behavior occurred –Coupons, stickers, smiley faces Meets specified goal = reward card

“Reinforcer” Menus: Option 1 Set criteria for each level of behavior Select “reinforcers” for each level “Reinforcers” should be of more value to child with each level Okay (1-3) Sticker, Sucker, Read book Good (4-6) Pencils, Be line leader for the day Great (7+) Pick song for circle time, small toy

“Reinforcer” Menus: Option 2 Each day give 3-5 options from big list of “reinforcers” that the child can pick from and earn that day if criteria met Rewards Available Today Extra outside time, 30 minutes computer, Extra treat

Behavior Charts Magic Circle Charts –Each time behavior is exhibited, earns a star/sticker on chart and is praised as behavior occurs –When lands on “magic circle”, child earns incentive –Could use for each time child shares a toy, helps clean up

Behavior Charts Dot-to-dots –Each time child exhibits behavior, they earn a line on chart and is praised as behavior occurs –When completed dot-to-dot, earns reward –Could use if trying to work on saying please/thank you, eye contact

Group Contingencies Helpful when targeting a lot of children at once Select target behavior Select how you will keep track and let children know they did behavior Select group reward

Ideas for Monitoring & letting children know behavior occurred Marble jar Star chart Reinforcement tower Coupons

Trouble Shooting Reinforcement Programs Access to “reinforcers” otherwise? How often is the child successful? Are the “reinforcers” worth the effort? Have “reinforcers” been faded too quickly?

Activity Pick a few social skills you’d like to increase Select a reward program to use Set the criteria to earn reward Determine how often reward can be earned Develop list of rewards