What are the most common reinforcers that the preschool teachers use to motivate students?

Question

Please help me answer this because I am having a thesis entitled "Common Reinforcers That The Preschool Teachers Use",I need to finish this before October 2007.What I need to do is to revise the introduction,to put descriptions of a preschool classrooms,what the teachers and students do,I have gathered lots of information here on yahoo answers about reinforcement and it help me a lot and it is where I get my guide to make the questionnaire for our survey,I need more ideas please and thanks...

Answer 1

A positive reinforcer is an event which, when presented immediately following a behaviour, causes the behaviour to increase – reward.

A negative reinforcer can be something ending or avoiding something.

Reinforcers should be age appropriate and some reinforcers can be easier to give than others. Social praise can be given immediately, enthusiastically, and consistently and disappears once given, e.g. hugs, smiles, “good work”, and “well done”.

Some reinforcers are more difficult to give, e.g. going to the park; sweets after tea.

It is important not to use a reinforcer as a bribe, e.g. “you can have the big bike when we play outside if you play nicely”.

Reinforcers are effective when they are:

- Immediate: given when the behaviour happens

- Consistent: given every time

- Enthusiastic: novel, over the top & motivating

- Linked to social praise

- Functional: they provide a more acceptable solution for the child

- Don’t get in the way of the child achieving what you want him/her to do.

Children, like adults, enjoy routine in their life.  When they cannot depend upon a routine or are interrupted by regular modifications, their behaviour tends to reflect the routine - chaotic and inconsistent.  Children need consistency in their daily routines. Structured appropriately, a routine can help reinforce positive behaviours in children and minimise negative behaviours.

Children need and respond well to positive behaviour.  It makes them feel valued, boosts confidence, self esteem and self worth.

Physical punishment is not necessary, acceptable or effective.

Praising and rewarding children reinforces behaviour that we want to be repeated.

Helping children to learn to show behaviour that is accepted by society is an important role of the child care practitioner.

Types of positive behaviour:

Sharing

Encouraging others

Helping others

Asserting oneself

Being fully involved in a chosen activity

Taking on new challenges

Taking responsibility

Showing empathy

Co-operating with others

Inappropriate behaviour can be that which:

- Occurs at the wrong time

- Occurs in the wrong place

- Is not age appropriate

- Hurts others physically

- Is offensive to others

- Affects what is trying to be achieved

- Causes stress in the child’s life & the lives of others.

Common functions of behaviour are to:

1. Gain attention

2. Gain access to an item/event

3. Gain stimulation

4. Avoid unwanted stimulation

5. Express a feeling of emotion.

Hope all this information helps you and provides a start for you to base your thesis on.

Answer 2

I work in a preschool we use a lot of positive reinforcement such as when we see a child walking in the class when others may not be we will say "great walking feet "Joe"" and very quickly the other children will begin walking another way we do this we encourage the children by asking open ended questions and we reaffirm what the child is saying   good luck with your parper I hope this helps a little

Answer 3

There are 2 kinds of reinforcements or motiovations, one is intrinsic- rewards that develop the inner self such as praise, pat on the back, applause, opportunity to lead, positive comments. the other is extrinsic- rewards that are usually material such as stamps, stickers, certificate, awards, food, new toy. Both are good to use especially for young learners when you want to acheive the desired output or the expected behavior, however, we teachers tend to put more stress on the use of intrinsic motivators to develop positive learning attitude and appropriate discipline even when there are no rewards.

Answer 4

You need to get real, legitimate references. Yahoo answers is not the place to be. Also, if it's your thesis, you should definitely know what you're talking about. However, must reinforcement is positive or negative. You have to use both. Like giving treats or praise and dishing out punishment.

Answer 5

You are using yahoo answers on your thesis? Shouldn't you know this information? Don't you have to use reliable sources for these things? Aren't there books, studies, and professional journal articles about this?