Have you ever found yourself at a loss in managing your child’s behavior? It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed and unsure when faced with challenging behaviors. But fear not, my friend, for there is a solution: behavior contracts.
Beh-what?
A behavior contract is a written agreement between a child and parent (or teacher) outlining the specific behaviors that need to be changed and the rewards or consequences that will follow based on the child’s behavior. It’s essentially a roadmap to success, outlining exactly what needs to be done in order to achieve the desired outcome.
How to Use a Behavior Contract
Behavior contracts can be used for a variety of behaviors, from completing homework to following household rules to reducing aggressive or disruptive behavior. They work best when the behavior being targeted is specific, measurable, and achievable.
When creating a behavior contract, it’s important to involve your child in the process. Together, you can identify the specific behavior that needs to change and work together to create a plan that both parties agree on.
Once the behavior contract is in place, it’s important to consistently reinforce the consequences or rewards outlined in the contract. This means following through every time your child displays the targeted behavior, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative. Over time, this consistency will help your child develop healthier habits and behaviors.
What Should be Included in a Behavior Contract?
A typical behavior contract should include the following elements:
- Description of the target behavior: Clearly describe the behavior that needs to change, using specific and measurable language.
- Consequences for not meeting the behavior goal: Outline the consequences that will follow if the behavior goal is not met. This could include losing privileges or receiving a punishment, such as a time-out.
- Rewards for meeting the behavior goal: Similarly, outline the rewards that the child will receive if they achieve the behavior goal. Rewards can include things like extra screen time or a special treat.
- Timeline: Specify the length of time that the behavior contract will be in place, typically around 2-4 weeks.
- Signatures: Have both you and your child sign the contract, reflecting your agreement and commitment to the plan.
Benefits of using a Behavior Contract
Behavior contracts are a valuable tool in helping children develop healthy habits and behaviors. Here are just a few of the benefits:
- Clear expectations: A behavior contract provides clear guidelines for what is expected of the child, reducing confusion or misunderstandings.
- Motivation: The rewards outlined in the contract can be a great motivator for children, encouraging them to make positive changes.
- Constructive problem-solving: Working together to create a behavior contract requires both you and your child to brainstorm solutions and work collaboratively towards a goal. This is a valuable skill that can be applied to many areas of life.
- Consistency: By consistently following through on rewards and consequences outlined in the contract, children learn that they can trust you to hold up your end of the bargain, building a sense of trust and security in the relationship.
- Improved self-esteem: As children make positive changes and achieve their goals, they feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, building their self-esteem and confidence in their abilities.
Additional Tips for Success
While behavior contracts can be an effective tool in managing challenging behavior, there are a few additional tips that can support your success:
- Be consistent: As previously mentioned, consistency is key in reinforcing the behavior contract. Follow through on rewards and consequences each and every time your child displays the targeted behavior.
- Be specific: Make sure the behaviors being targeted are specific, measurable, and achievable. Painting a broad brush stroke like “be good” doesn’t provide enough clarity for your child to understand what behaviors you would like to see changed. Instead, get specific, for example, to “stay quiet until the teacher asks for questions.”
- Be flexible: While consistency is important, it’s also important to be flexible in your approach. If the behavior contract isn’t working, be willing to reflect on what might need to change and try a new approach.
- Be positive: Emphasize the positive behaviors that you want to see, rather than the negative behaviors you want to avoid. Instead of saying “stop hitting others,” say “use gentle hands.”
- Be realistic: Make sure the goals outlined in the behavior contract are achievable. If they’re impossible, your child will quickly become discouraged and the behavior contract will lose its effectiveness.
Examples of Behavior Contracts
Behavior contracts can be created for a variety of behaviors, from household chores to classroom conduct. Here are just a few examples:
Homework Contract:
Description of Behavior: Completing homework each night before any screen time is earned
Consequences for not meeting behavior goal: Screen time is forfeited for the evening
Rewards for meeting behavior goal: 30 minutes of screen time after homework is complete
Timeline: 2 weeks
Chore Contract:
Description of Behavior: Completing daily household chores, including making bed, taking out trash and recycling, and doing dishes
Consequences for not meeting behavior goal: One chore is added to the daily list
Rewards for meeting behavior goal: $5 allowance per week
Timeline: 1 month
Classroom Behavior Contract:
Description of Behavior: Following classroom rules, staying in seat during lessons, and completing assigned work
Consequences for not meeting behavior goal: Loss of recess time
Rewards for meeting behavior goal: Special treat from teacher’s prize jar
Timeline: 3 weeks
Conclusion
Behavior contracts are a powerful tool in promoting healthy behaviors and habits in children. By clearly outlining expectations and consequences, parents and teachers can work collaboratively with children towards a common goal, building trust, and improving self-esteem in the process. Whether you’re struggling with homework completion or classroom conduct, a behavior contract can help.
Remember, creating a behavior contract isn’t a quick fix solution. It takes time, effort, and consistent follow-through to achieve the desired outcome. But with patience and persistence, you can help your child develop positive habits that will last a lifetime.
So go ahead, give it a try. Take control of your child’s behavior by creating a behavior contract today. You might be surprised at how effective this simple tool can be.
References
Blank Behavior Contract Sample. (n.d.). Sample Templates. https://www.sampletemplates.com/sample/behavior-modification-contract.html
Fertman, C. I., & Linden, L. L. (2012). Health promotion programs: From theory to practice. John Wiley & Sons.
Free Behavior Contracts. (n.d.). Free Printable Behavior Charts. https://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/behavior_contracts.htm
Managing Problematic Behaviors Classroom Management and Chore Contract. (n.d.). Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/50123663351468591/
Sample Student Behavior Contract. (n.d.). Classles Democracy. https://classlessdemocracy.com/sample-student-behavior-contract/
The Worksheet Place. (n.d.). Behavior Contract. https://worksheetplace.com/mf/behavior-contract.html
Behavior Contract Template For Parents. (n.d.). HQ Printable Documents. https://www.hqprintabledocuments.com/behavior/behavior-contract-template-for-parents/
Behavioral Contracts For Adults - Masturbation Best Way. (n.d.). Masturbation Best Way. http://masturbationbestway.com/behavioral-contracts-for-adults/
Behavior Contract Template. (n.d.). Free Word Templates. https://freewordtemplates.net/agreement/behaviour-contract-template.html
