How to Motivate Your Child to do a Task

Enjoy this quick tip video discusses the “first-then” strategy and how this can benefit your child with understanding that they need to complete a task before moving on to something new. This is a simple and clear strategy that can be used every day.

Presented by: Tara Karen, M.S. Ed, BCBA, LBA – Regional Operations Director

Transcription:

Motivate with the Premack Principle

First… then. First… then is a great strategy for helping children to learn how to process waiting and completing an activity before they can do something that they really, really want. This is also known as grandma’s role. First, eat your peas, then you can have a piece of cake.

In ABA we call this the Premack Principle. It’s a wonderful strategy to use. It’s something that you can use language only or you can just get a simple board or a piece of paper and just have first… then. First homework, then video games. Using this type of language, as long as it’s simple and clear, will help your child to be able to process that they need to complete something first and then they get what they want next.

It’s a great way to motivate your child to get through a task as well as help them learn the concrete part of delivering an instruction and following through, knowing that they will get something beneficial at the end. So, think about it the next time you need your child to complete a task. Use first… then.