Lesson 2 Homework, Tips and Case Studies
Test your knowledge
What is positive reinforcement, and how can it be applied to address school refusal?
Positive reinforcement involves adding something to increase the likelihood of a behavior. In the context of school refusal, an example could be praising a child for attending school without resistance and allowing them to choose a preferred activity or treat as a reward.
Positive reinforcement involves adding something to increase the likelihood of a behavior. In the context of school refusal, an example could be praising a child for attending school without resistance and allowing them to choose a preferred activity or treat as a reward.
Explain negative reinforcement in the context of school refusal. Provide an example.
Negative reinforcement involves removing something to increase the likelihood of a behavior. In the case of school refusal, if a child experiences anxiety, and goes to school, the parent might remove the child’s afternoon chores for that day to reinforce the behavior of attending school.
Negative reinforcement involves removing something to increase the likelihood of a behavior. In the case of school refusal, if a child experiences anxiety, and goes to school, the parent might remove the child’s afternoon chores for that day to reinforce the behavior of attending school.
Define positive punishment and provide a scenario related to school refusal where positive punishment might be applied.
Positive punishment involves adding something the child does not like to decrease the likelihood of a behavior. For school refusal, an example could be assigning additional academic tasks or home chores when a child consistently refuses to attend school.
Positive punishment involves adding something the child does not like to decrease the likelihood of a behavior. For school refusal, an example could be assigning additional academic tasks or home chores when a child consistently refuses to attend school.
Negative punishment involves removing something desirable to decrease the likelihood of a behavior. In the context of school refusal, implementing a consequence like the temporary loss of preferred privileges (e.g., screen time or outings) when a child avoids school could serve as negative punishment.
Negative punishment involves removing something desirable to decrease the likelihood of a behavior. In the context of school refusal, implementing a consequence like the temporary loss of preferred privileges (e.g., screen time or outings) when a child avoids school could serve as negative punishment.
How might a parent integrate positive reinforcement and negative punishment to create an effective strategy for reducing school refusal? Provide a step-by-step plan.
A parent could implement a reward system (positive reinforcement) where the child earns points for attending school without resistance. Accumulated points can be exchanged for desirable rewards. Additionally, if school refusal occurs, the parent might temporarily restrict privileges (negative punishment) to discourage the behavior.
A parent could implement a reward system (positive reinforcement) where the child earns points for attending school without resistance. Accumulated points can be exchanged for desirable rewards. Additionally, if school refusal occurs, the parent might temporarily restrict privileges (negative punishment) to discourage the behavior.
If you found these questions challenging, we recommend revisiting Lessons 1 and 2 to reinforce the concepts move onto the final Exercise.
Practical Exercise
Work on trying to recognize behaviors your child does that you’d like to continue, and those that you would like them to cease. This is an opportunity to use these new skills to develop new positive behaviors in all areas of your child’s life – not just school refusal. Write a list.
Week 2: More Tips for a harmonious home:
Avoid repetition
Don’t be a nag – it doesn’t work and encourages defiance while undermining your authority. Instead, give directions, and make sure your child understands what is required. Offer only one warning and then follow through with a consequence that is commensurate with the task. There may be tantrums to start but compliance will come quickly if you use this technique, and you’ll have a more peaceful household.
Always enforce consequences
Never threaten a consequence that you will not enforce, you’ll lose your authority when your child calls your bluff. If the child does not comply, provide the consequence in a calm manner. You might say, “You didn’t clean your room like I asked you to, so you won’t be allowed to go to the movies,” or, “Since you came home late tonight you won’t have access to the car this weekend.” (Negative Punishment – something is taken away (the movies), to punish the behavior of not cleaning their room).
Teach that actions have consequences
Do not rescue your child from the consequences of their behavior as this only encourages further defiance and a lack of respect. So, if they backtalk a teacher, don’t make excuses for this behavior or try to have the punishment lessened. Instead, talk to your child about how they should make choices that work in their favor rather than choices that ultimately make them unhappy.
Great job! Now, think about how you can begin to apply some of these strategies this week to start behavioral changes. Take note of what works and what doesn’t and pick and choose the strategies that work in your home. Let us know how you’re going in the private Facebook group or the forum.