We love our children dearly, but as we lead busy and stressful lives we can be quick to scold them when they are naughty and rarely praise them when they do something right. 

Positive reinforcement should always be given to children when they do something good.  This encourages a child to improve.  It is the best incentive for a child.  Praise makes a child differentiate between good and bad behavior.  It makes him feel good and less inclined to do something naughty.

It also makes him feel important in front of his siblings and friends.  Some tips to reward children for doing something right and good are listed below.

Your child may be a collector.  You could reward him/her with items that add to his collection, whether cards, stamps or stickers.  Your child may be small and still plays with toys.  He will be thrilled to get small inexpensive toys as rewards. Girls love glitter and jewelry.  Bracelets, trinkets, beads and hair clips will be greatly appreciated by little girls.

You could be formal and award your child with medals, ribbons, or trophies engraved with his name or certificates that you can frame and laminate for him.  These can go up on a wall in his room.  This is a very good way to reinforce good behavior. If your kid is creative, gift him/her a do-it-yourself craft toy for good behavior.  Personalized mugs, printed with the child’s photo and the message “Well done!” make a great gift.  It is a wonderful way to reward a child.

Little children who love to garden can be given “growing gifts”, such as plants, seeds or pots.  Awarding the child with an entire day of his/her own is a wonderful way to reward him/her.  On that day, the child can pick their meal, the movie they watch, the game to be played or the television show to be watched.  A system can also be set up so that each time the child has been good, he/she earns coupons, gift certificates, tickets to amusement park rides or movie tickets.

Small children are thrilled with an extra bedtime story or an extra half hour before bedtime. Teenagers can be rewarded with a slumber party or a night out.  A day without chores also works well as a reward. Treating the child to a favorite meal, snack or dessert works wonders at any age.  However, do make sure that the child’s meal is healthy and nutritious.