Lesson 6: Work your magic

Once you’ve decided to reward positive behavior, it’s crucial to reinforce this multiple times a day. You’re working to rewire your child’s brain, and relying on a single occurrence won’t establish a strong “if/then” connection. Instead, consistently recognizing their efforts throughout the day will be far more effective.

Involving both parents, or other adults, in this process enhances its impact even further. When children witness praise and rewards given to siblings, it reinforces these concepts in their own minds, as they learn from the examples set before them.

Don’t worry if it feels overwhelming; this need for frequent reinforcement will naturally decrease over time—whether in a week, a month, or more. This gradual reduction is known as tapering. It’s essential to avoid the mistake many parents make by overdoing it, as the goal is to create a sustainable pattern of positive behavior without constant reliance on rewards.