Behavior Management Interventions

The right behavior management interventions can help your family with difficult behaviors.

Children who exhibit disruptive behaviors affect each member of the family by creating stress, anxiety and emotional discord. With the appropriate behavior management intervention, however, behaviors can improve.

Background

Before implementing a behavior management intervention, it is important to choose two or three behaviors on which to focus. Although targeting negative behaviors, it is important to focus on the child's positive behaviors as well. Reward positive behaviors and provide consequences for negative behaviors to reinforce the appropriate behavior choice.

Features

Positive attention and praise are the most effective rewards for good behavior. They reinforce the good behavior on the spot and lead to a stronger connection between the reward and the behavior. Creating a reward chart can help keep track of the positive behaviors. The child can then work toward weekly rewards, further reinforcing appropriate behaviors.

Considerations

Behavior management interventions are most successful when used consistently. Following through with rewards and consequences help improve the effectiveness of the intervention. Make sure you let your child know how proud you are of her efforts. Positive reinforcement can go a long way.

References

• Universal Class: Behavior Management 101
• University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development :Behavior Modification: A Proactive Intervention for the Classroom
• Super Nanny: The Reward Chart