Child Behavior Management and Modification Training – Part 3

4. Compensation

Compensation is a method used to correct undesirable behavior by asking the child to make up for their actions. This not only teaches responsibility but also helps the child understand the consequences of their actions.

How Compensation Works:

• When a child commits an undesirable action, they are asked to correct it. For example, if a student scatters pieces of paper on the floor, the teacher might ask them to pick it up and throw it in the trash.
• Overcorrection:
  
  In some cases, the child may be asked to put in extra effort to compensate for their mistake. For instance, a child might not only have to clean up the mess they created but also do additional chores to help improve the situation. This method is known as "overcorrection" and is a more intensive approach to correcting the behavior.

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5. Penalizing

Penalizing involves reducing some of the reinforcers the child has previously earned due to undesirable behavior. This method helps the child understand that their actions have consequences, while also encouraging them to correct their behavior.

How Penalizing Works:

• For example, if a student has been earning reward stickers for good behavior, and they engage in undesirable actions, the teacher might reduce the number of stickers they receive. The reduction should be reasonable and just enough to encourage the child to put in more effort to earn back their rewards.

Important Considerations:

• The penalty should not be too severe. It’s important that the child feels motivated to correct their behavior, not discouraged or resentful. The goal is to use penalizing as a way to guide behavior, not to create negative emotions or resentment toward the authority figure.

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6. Punishment

Punishment is another method to reduce undesirable behavior. However, it is crucial to apply punishment in a way that does not cause lasting harm or create emotional damage. While punishment is often associated with physical punishment, modern behavioral practices emphasize using non-physical forms of punishment that are constructive and effective.

Physical Punishment:

Physical punishment is strongly discouraged, as it can lead to numerous negative consequences for both the child and the parent. Research has shown that physical punishment can:

• Increase fear and anger toward parents:
  Children who experience physical punishment may become fearful of their parents, which can damage the parent-child relationship.
• Increase cheating and lying:
  Children may begin to hide their actions or lie to avoid physical punishment, leading to a breakdown in trust.
• Increase aggression in children:
  Physical punishment can lead children to imitate aggressive behavior, causing them to react aggressively to others.
• Destruction of self-esteem:
  Constant punishment, especially physical, can damage a child’s self-esteem and make them feel unworthy or unloved.
• Parent guilt:
  Parents who use physical punishment may feel guilty afterward and try to overcompensate, which can lead to inconsistent parenting and a lack of respect from the child.

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Conclusion

Incorporating methods like compensation, penalizing, and punishment into behavior management strategies requires a careful balance. While these methods can be effective in modifying behavior, they must be applied thoughtfully and appropriately to ensure the child's emotional well-being and to maintain a healthy parent-child relationship.