The Extinction Technique

If you are a parent, you surely know that each child is different and what may work in one may be ineffective in another. You have probably never heard of the extinction technique , a technique that serves to redirect certain behaviors that can be complicated and problematic. On many occasions the behaviors of the little ones are usually quite conflictive, something that can frustrate many parents as they are unable to redirect such a situation. Thanks to the extinction technique you will be able to handle the issue of your child’s behavior in the best possible way.

THE EXTINCTION TECHNIQUE

This technique starts from the basis that a conflictive conduct or behavior may be due to being reinforced or rewarded without the parents realizing it. It is normal that when the child does something wrong, he is reprimanded or punished without taking into account that such behavior is being reinforced. The problem today is that most parents pay too much attention to what the child does wrong , overlooking when the child does things right. In this way the child will understand that the way to get attention from their parents is to misbehave.

HOW TO APPLY THE EXTINCTION TECHNIQUE

This technique proposes not paying attention to those conflictive behaviors that are to be eliminated. For the technique to have the desired effect, parents must reinforce in a positive way. You have to start focusing all your attention on those behaviors that are positive. If it happens that the child takes a tantrum because of something he wants, you must ignore such behavior and offer him some type of alternative that will help him to forget such a tantrum.

In the event that the child is still angry and does not come to his senses, it is good to explain in a calm and calm way that he will not be treated until he calms down. Once he calms down, you can talk to him and explain things to him. That is the time when you have to reward their behavior and give them all the possible attention. This time the child’s positive behavior will be reinforced.

TIPS AND GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW

For the extinction technique to be as effective as possible, it is important to follow a series of tips or guidelines that we indicate below:

• • Before you start, you should sit down with your child and explain that things should be asked in a calm and calm way. Otherwise you will not pay attention to it and it will not achieve anything.

• • Once such a technique is chosen to redirect the child’s behavior, you have to be firm and do not back down at any time. You have to stop paying attention to bad behaviors and reward those behaviors that are good and positive.

• Do not despair as the extinction technique takes time. The child will not change overnight. It is quite normal that at the beginning there is an increase in unwanted behavior until the child understands as the days go by that with bad manners he will not achieve anything. In this way, the little one will begin to behave well and opt for a much more appropriate behavior .

With this technique, you will observe how over time your child behaves much better and begins to have a positive behavior. Remember to avoid reinforcing misbehavior and praise him at all times when he does things right.