Behavioural Psychology in Children: A Guide for Parents

Behavioural psychology is a branch of psychology that studies how people learn and behave in response to their environment. Behavioural psychology applies the principles of learning theory, such as reinforcement, punishment, shaping, modelling, and social learning, to understand and modify human behaviour.

Behavioural psychology can be useful for children who have difficulties with various aspects of their development, such as academic skills, social skills, emotional regulation, self-control, or coping with stress.

Behavioural psychology can also help children who have behavioural problems, such as aggression, defiance, impulsivity, hyperactivity, or anxiety.

What are the Techniques of Behavioural Psychology in Children?

Behavioural psychology uses various techniques to assess and intervene in children's behaviour. Some of the common lecnniques are.

• Behavioural assessment: This is the process of collecting information about the child's behaviour, such as the frequency, intensity, duration, antecedents, and consequences of the behaviour. It may involve using interviews, observations, questionnaires, or tests
• Behavioural intervention: This is the process of applying learning principles to change the child's behaviour. It may involve using positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, extinction, shaping, modelling, or social learning.
• Positive reinforcement: This is the technique of increasing the likelihood of a desired behaviour by presenting a pleasant stimulus after the behaviour. For example, praising a child for completing homework or giving a sticker for sharing toys.
• Negative reinforcement: This is the technique of increasing the likelihood of a desired behaviour by removing an unpleasant stimulus after the behaviour. For example, turning off a loud noise when a child stops crying or allowing a break from work when a child finishes a task.
• Punishment: This is the technique of decreasing the likelihood of an undesired behaviour by presenting an unpleasant stimulus after the behaviour. For example, scolding a child for hitting another child or taking away a toy for lying.
• Extinction: This is the technique of decreasing the likelihood of an undesired behaviour by removing any reinforcement for the behaviour. For example, ignoring a child's tantrum or not responding to a child's whining.
• Shaping: This is the technique of gradually teaching a new behaviour by reinforcing successive approximations of the behaviour. For example, teaching a child to tie shoelaces by reinforcing each step until the final goal is achieved.
• Modelling: This is the technique of demonstrating a desired behaviour for the child to imitate. For example, showing a child how to brush teeth or how to greet someone politely.
• Social learning: This is the technique of learning from observing others' behaviour and its consequences.For example, learning to cooperate with others by watching peers or adults who are rewarded for cooperation.

What are the Benefits of Behavioural Psychology in Children?

Developmental pediatrics can offer many benefits for children with developmental and behavioral problems and their families. Some of the benefits are:

• Enhanced self-esteem and confidence: People who have communication difficulties may feel frustrated, embarrassed, isolated, or depressed. Speech therapy can help them overcome their challenges and express themselves more effectively and confidently.
• Improved academic and professional performance: People who have communication difficulties may struggle with learning new information, completing assignments or tasks, participating in discussions or presentations, or interacting with peers or colleagues. Speech therapy can help them improve their skills and abilities in these areas.
• Increased social and emotional well-being: People who have communication difficulties may have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with others. They may also experience emotional problems such as anxiety, anger, or sadness. Speech therapy can help them communicate better with others and cope with their emotions.
• Reduced health risks: People who have swallowing difficulties may be at risk of malnutrition, dehydration, infection, or aspiration pneumonia. Speech therapy can help them eat and drink safely and comfortably.

• Understanding Children : It helps us better understand how kids think and support them to become well-rounded individuals.
• Identifying Abnormal Behaviors : Child psychologists can identify abnormal behaviors early.
• Addressing Behavioral Issues : It helps detect the root of common behavioral issues such as learning issues, hyperactivity, or anxiety.
• Working Through Trauma : It can help children work through early childhood trauma.
• Behavior Modification : Behavior therapies can be applied to a wide range of psychological symptoms among adolescents and children. They use reinforcement, punishment, shaping, modeling, and related techniques to alter behavior.
• Effective for Conduct Problems : Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly relevant for children from 7 years on and adolescents with clinical levels of conduct problems.
• Play Therapy : Cognitive behavioral play therapy can be effective for children where other types of therapy aren’t.
• Treatment of Disorders : Child psychologists can treat many kinds of behavioral, emotional, social and mental health issues in children and adolescents.
• Help with Stressors : They can also help children with stressors and issues in school, with their family and in life in general.

What are the Techniques and Methodologies of Developmental Pediatrics?

• History taking: This is the process of gathering information about the child's medical history, family history, developmental history, behavioral history, and social history. It may involve interviews with the child. the parents or caregivers, or other informants.
• Physical examination: This is the process of examining the child's physical appearance, growth parameters, vital signs, and body systems. It may involve using instruments such as a stethoscope, an otoscope, or a reflex hammer.
• Developmental screening and assessment: This is the process of measuring the child's skills or milestones in various domains of development. It may involve using standardized tools such as questionnaires, checklists, or tests.
• Behavioral observation and rating: This is the process of observing and evaluating the child's behavior in different settings and situations. It may involve using structured or naturalistic methods such as video recording, direct observation, or rating scales.
• Diagnostic testing: This is the process of identifying or ruling out specific developmental or behavioral disorders. It may involve using laboratory tests such as blood tests, urine tests, or genetic tests. It may also involve using imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Treatment planning and implementation: This is the process of developing and executing a plan of action to address the child's needs and goals. It may involve using pharmacological interventions such as medications or supplements. It may also involve using non-pharmacological interventions such as behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, educational therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, or social skills training.
• Monitoring and evaluation: This is the process of tracking and measuring the outcomes and effects of the treatment plan. It may involve using follow-up visits, phone calls, or electronic communication. It may also involve using repeated tests or tools to assess the child's progress or response.

• Parent-child interaction therapy : This helps parents interact with their children and manage their behaviors. It may also improve the parent-child bond¹.
• Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) : This is a play-based intervention¹.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) : This therapy is used to help children understand and change thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors¹.
• Dialectical behavior therapy : This therapy combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotion regulation with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness¹.
• Applied behavioral analysis : This is a type of therapy that focuses on improving specific behaviors, such as social skills, communication, reading, and academics, as well as adaptive learning skills¹.
• Play therapy : This is a method of therapy that uses play to uncover and deal with psychological issues¹.
• Group therapy : This involves treating a group of people who have similar problems and who meet regularly with a therapist¹.
• Family therapy : This involves treating a family unit. It views individuals' problems in the context of the larger unit: the family¹.

How to Get Started with Behavioral Intervention

It is important to remember that even if a child struggles with challenging behaviors, it does not necessarily mean that they have a diagnosable mental health condition. And being diagnosed with a behavioral disorder does not mean that a child should be labeled in a negative way. Sometimes behaviors might be viewed as problems because they do not conform to what a child is expected to do in a particular setting. In such cases, recognizing a child’s needs and characteristics can help parents, teachers, and caregivers adapt experiences and provide interventions and accommodations that will help ease stress and allow kids to engage with their environment in a way that works for their individual needs.

Treatment for behavioral disorders in children depends on the nature of the child’s condition and the severity of their symptoms. Family therapy, individual therapy, medication, parent training, and residential treatment are a few options that might be recommended. Parent behavior therapy has the strongest evidence as an effective treatment for disruptive behavior problems in children. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one approach that can help kids learn to identify and change thoughts contributing to behavioral issues