The Power of Reinforcement: Why Praise Matters More Than You Think

admin271462
7 days ago
2 min read

If you’ve ever told a child “great job!” after they cleaned up their toys, or given a high-five when they tried something new, you’ve used one of the most effective tools in behaviour change - reinforcement. In Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), reinforcement is at the core of teaching new skills and encouraging positive behaviour. While reinforcement can take many forms, one of the most overlooked (and underused) tools is something free, easy, and always available: praise.

What Is Reinforcement?

Reinforcement is anything that increases the likelihood a behaviour will happen again in the future. It’s not always about giving tangible rewards like stickers or treats. For many children (and adults), social reinforcement - like smiles, encouragement, or recognition, can be just as powerful.

Why Praise Matters

Praise is a form of positive reinforcement. When we acknowledge and celebrate desired behaviours, we motivate children to repeat them. For example:

Saying, “I love how you shared your toys with your brother!” reinforces sharing.
Clapping and cheering when a child finishes a puzzle encourages persistence.
A warm smile and a “thank you” can reinforce polite behaviour.

Praise doesn’t just shape behaviour - t also builds relationships. When children feel noticed and valued for what they do well, they’re more likely to seek out those positive interactions.

The Science Behind It

Research in ABA has consistently shown that reinforcement is more effective than punishment for long-term behaviour change. Punishment might stop a behaviour in the short term, but reinforcement teaches what to do instead. Praise highlights and strengthens the behaviours we want to see more of.

Making Praise Effective

Not all praise is created equal. Here are a few tips for making your reinforcement really work:

Be Specific: Instead of just saying “good job,” describe exactly what the child did. For example, “great job putting your shoes on all by yourself!” helps the child connect the praise to the specific action.
Be Immediate: Praise works best when it happens right after the behaviour. A quick, “nice work washing your hands!” is much more powerful than saying it ten minutes later.
Match Praise to the Child: Some children light up at high-energy praise (cheers, clapping, big smiles), while others prefer quieter acknowledgement (a gentle “I’m proud of you” or a thumbs-up). Pay attention to what feels reinforcing for each child.
Pair Praise With Other Reinforcement: Sometimes praise works even better when paired with other reinforcers - like a sticker, a token, or access to a favourite activity. Over time, social praise can become the most valued reinforcement all on its own.

Beyond Childhood

It’s not just children who thrive on praise, adults do too. Think about how motivating it feels when a boss acknowledges your hard work or when a friend compliments your effort. Reinforcement isn’t just an ABA strategy - it’s a universal human need.

Final Thoughts

Praise is simple, free, and one of the most powerful tools we have for shaping behaviour and building relationships. By noticing and celebrating the positive behaviours in children (and in ourselves), we can encourage growth, confidence, and long-term success. The next time you see a behaviour you’d love to see more often, don’t underestimate the power of a well-timed, heartfelt, “great job!”