Creative Reinforcement Ideas
ABA focuses on reinforcing desired behaviors to increase the likelihood that they will occur again in the future. Positive reinforcement is one type of reinforcement that can be used to achieve this goal.
Positive reinforcement involves adding something to the environment that encourages the desired behavior to occur again. An example of this is rewarding a child who independently uses the bathroom with a new toy.
However, toys can be expensive and may not always be the best option. Instead, consider alternative reinforcing activities that allow you to spend quality time with your child while still reinforcing their desired behavior.
Movie night in: Pop some popcorn, pick up candy, build a blanket fort, and spend some quality family time in. Let your kid choose their favorite movie to watch together.
Special dinner: Let your kid pick the restaurant or cook their favorite meal at home.
Mini golf: Putt around on a nice day with your child. This a fun way to reinforce appropriate behavior and get out of the house.
Picnic/park day; Pack some yummy food and go to the park. Your child can burn some energy outside, get social opportunities, and build memories with you.
Beach trip: When the weather is nice the beach is a fun place for the family.
Laser tag: An action-packed way to spend time with your child. They get the chance to run around regardless of the weather!
Art project: Let their inner artist explore an exciting new art project. Painting, drawing, coloring, the list goes on. (Pinterest is a great place for some inspiration!)
Cooking/baking together: From chocolate chip cookies to a delicious cake, baking is a sweet activity. You can keep it simple with a premixed box from the store or try it from scratch.
Nail painting: A super sweet way to spend time and bond with your child. There are children’s nail polishes that comes off easily or opt for nail stickers with fun patterns.
Bowling: A classic outing your family is sure to have fun with.
Color Me Mine: For your creative child, Color Me Mine lets them explore painting on ceramic pieces.
Coffee date: Bring your little one to your favorite coffee shop for a yummy hot chocolate and pastry. Find somewhere to sit and hear all the things your child wants to talk about.
Aquarium: From watching the jellyfish float by to petting a real-life starfish, the aquarium has it all.
Zoo: Introduce your child to new animals while spending the day outdoors. Whether you go to the big zoo in the city or a visit a smaller local zoo, the zoo is a fun way to learn about animals and an exciting day out!
These are just some examples of activities that can be fun and reinforcing. Remember every child is unique! Their preferences can change (and that’s okay!) What they may want one month, they won’t want the next.
Reinforcement always increases the chances of the behavior happening again. If you notice there is no change in behavior, take a step back and check if this activity is reinforcing for your child. Make changes as needed, and remember that the goal is to have fun!
