Positive reinforcement is anything that is added following a behavior that increases the likelihood of that same behavior happening again in the future.
Research tells us that positive reinforcement is the most effective way to help learners gain new skills and behaviors. Click below to learn more about using positive reinforcement to support academic and behavioral success at home. positive_reinforcement.pdf Supporting Positive Reinforcement Through Visuals |
Offering choices is one of the most powerful strategies in our toolbox for both decreasing problem behaviors and creating empowered, active learners at home and school!choices.pdf
Timers
Visual timers…
Timers
Visual timers…
- Provide a clear ending time for both activities the learner likes and those they don’t like
- Help learners who can’t read numerals visualize how much time is left
- Free visual timer apps can be downloaded for most devices
- Check out this free visual timer online - https://www.online-stopwatch.com/countdown-clock/
Token Economies
For learners who are working to earn a positive reinforcement that isn’t available right now (see our tip sheet on positive reinforcement for more information), token economies provide a visual earning system toward their reward.
Token economies
First/Then prompts and visuals…
For learners who are working to earn a positive reinforcement that isn’t available right now (see our tip sheet on positive reinforcement for more information), token economies provide a visual earning system toward their reward.
Token economies
- Make less-concrete reinforcers (like outside time) more tangible
- Can be helpful in fading immediate or tangible reinforcers
- Start by pairing a token with the tangible (like a piece of candy or cookie) then slowly eliminate the tangible
- Can be created so that the tokens and system are themselves reinforcing to the learner
- A favorite character or color
- Work best when the learner is offered a choice of reinforcer
- Usually 3-10 tokens
- Learners can earn tokens on a timed schedule (every so many minutes) or for demonstrating the desired behavior (like staying in their seat or answering a math question)
- Once the learner earns all their tokens, they get their reinforcer
- “Reset” the board and start again!
First/Then prompts and visuals…
- Communicate expectations using clear, concise language
- First reading, then outside.
- Can motivate learners by reminding them what they are working for
- Work best when the “then” is something the learner enjoys