“Motivation increases the initiation and persistence of activities.”
1. REINFORCEMENT CHECKLIST
What motivates one child might not motivate the next! Starting the year by providing students with a quick reinforcement checklist allows you to see the most effective motivators for each child. Like all things, children change and so does the newest fad! Update it throughout the year to assure that what the child is working for is actually motivating them.
2. ESTABLISH EXPECTATIONS
Teachers spend weeks, even months setting expectations in the classroom. Parents establish and are reminding children of expectations daily. Expectations can vary depending on the activity. The child’s morning routine expectations may look different than completing academic work in the classroom. Setting clear, concise expectations and follow through is key. Expectations can be taught and practiced through role playing, visual supports, positive reinforcement and PRACTICE!
3. VISUAL SUPPORTS
Accomplishing everything one needs to do in a day is hard for any child, but is especially hard for a child who has trouble with executive functioning skills, ADHD, cognitive delays, etc. Visual supports can make all the difference! Visual supports help children throughout the day and allows them to process your verbal language in another way. Allowing the students to see what they need to do in order to earn their preferred reinforcer not only holds the child accountable, but the adults as well.
4. DIFFERENTIATE
Token economy systems should be differentiated based on individual needs. Not only should their highly motivating reinforcers be specific to each child, but the system that works for one child may not work for the other. Some children need reinforcement to complete all tasks throughout the day: getting dressed in the morning, getting on the bus, completing a table top activity, etc. One child may be able to sustain attention for 5-10 minutes while others can go an entire academic block. Differentiation is key!
EXAMPLES OF TOKEN ECONOMY SYSTEMS:
5. TEACH
Provide direct and explicit instruction when teaching a designated token economy system. Not only does the child need to learn, but the adults implementing the system need to as well. Again, consistency is key. Role playing is a fun way to teach what the expected and unexpected behavior looks like! Give clear examples of how a child will earn a token and clear example of ways they would not.
6. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
When everything is all set in place, practice makes perfect! Provide the child with numerous opportunities to practice and succeed with positive reinforcement.Children learn best through practice, repetition, and reinforcement.