Catch 'em being good

One of the best classes I ever took was Cliff Madsen's "Behavior Modification" during a very hot summer at Florida State. I wish I could take it again.

I've been doing some research on the whole "Behavior Mod" topic and rereading the Madsen book as I help my current students prepare to be teachers.

One of the best concepts was "Catch a Student Being Good." I found this website while looking around the internet for some good examples. It described the concept this way:

The most effective behavior management technique is the easiest to implement--"catching 'em being good". Research shows us that the quickest and most effective way to promote the display of appropriate behaviors is to reward them (e.g., touch, a smile, a "thank you", praise, points, food,...whatever would be reinforcing to those youngsters). We all like to have our efforts acknowledged, and will show more of that behavior if it brings us rewards. It's human nature to show behaviors that bring benefits to us. It is also human nature to like and want to please people who recognize our efforts.

It is a website with several examples of how implementation of the technique resulted in a change in behavior. I encourage you to check it out.