A Little Extra Digital Help in Encouraging Good Behavior
Let’s face it; children are not always agreeable.
Sometimes the most basic behavioral skills are the most challenging to acquire in the early stages of childhood. It is often frustrating for parents whose children are struggling with daily tasks, or teachers who need all their students to participate in an activity. It can be such a relief to have a little assistance.
A reward system can be a really effective method in integrating life skills and a sense of responsibility. Modeling the causal relationship between a job well done and a little positive reinforcement illustrates to kids the give-and-take they can expect and benefit from in their relationships.
Now you can use affirmations from your computer to help improve children’s attitudes about basic expectations. An app that identifies and works with these principles is the BabyEduca app. It was designed by educators, psychologists and pediatricians to reduce friction in introducing some of these transitions. Developed by Neurodigital Technologies, the application helps to clearly establish goals and work toward them in a gentle and entertaining way.
Adults and children sit together to enter a child’s information, building a profile. They can then customize a task list that tracks the child’s success over days or weeks. Kids collect a gold star for each completed task and cash in stars that enable them to select a prize like an animated roller coaster ride.
Parents have been using this approach for a millennium, but this app is especially effective because it creates a focal point, a defined, kid-friendly platform that helps them engage with doing homework and brushing teeth as part of a point system that gains them reward and recognition.
On another level for teachers, utilizing a system like the BabyEduca app encourages counting, decision-making and cooperation. Not to mention, the value of fun should not be underestimated. Glossy, cheerful graphics and charming sound effects are low-hanging fruit with kids because who doesn’t like bright, moving colors?
With just a few minutes of dedicated time a day, children see that the desired behaviors earn virtual rewards and praise. This approach allows teachers to meet kids on their level, include them all in the same activity and reiterate the importance of contributing to the group by completing these individual tasks.
Encouraging adult and child interaction, there is also plenty of potential for bonding. The interface is so simple that kids can use it themselves, dragging their stars into their basket and redeeming prizes, presenting another learning opportunity.
Everyone responds to positive affirmation; it’s a very basic human need. Little responses like, “You did it!” and “You deserve a star!” go a surprisingly long way with kids, especially strangely, when it comes from a device. With BabyEduca, parents and teachers can ease the challenge of improving good behavior by employing a little backup. And when they achieve success, it makes both children and adults happy and satisfied.
The BabyEduca application is now optimized for Windows 8.1* tablets powered by Intel® Atom™ Processors and can be downloaded at: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/76b7eea9-44b9-42a1-b7ef-9739dfd832fc.
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