When it comes to learning how to adapt behavior, a behavior modification plan example is the only way to go! But before we look at an example, lets go over the fundamental basics of how to successfully modify behavior in children.

Why Do Kids Misbehave?

It is important to know that children behave in certain ways (even in annoying ways) because it serves them. But how does misbehavior serve a child? Great question.

Misbehavior can either:

- Provide children with attention (negative attention is better than none at all), or

- Get children what they want.

How Do We Change The Way Our Children Behave?

Change needs to start with you. Why? Because you are the only person you can truly change. Fortunately, we can inspire children to change by modifying our reaction to their misbehavior. The key is to dissolve the pay-off they are currently receiving for their misbehavior and to increase the pay-offs they receive for positive behavior.

To modify behavior, you need to have a plan that includes:

1. Finding your childs buy in (the reason they would want to change),

2. Disciplining with joy, and

3. Following through consistently.

Now lets go over a behavior modification plan example.

Sample Behavior Modification Plan Misbehavior to Solve:

Grant dawdles in the morning and makes his older brother Graham late for school.

Plan of Action:

To leave at 8:00AM sharp and not wait for Grant if he's late.

Applying the Plan Direct From My Journal:

Yesterday morning, 7:52 a.m. came and they were both rushing around 7:55 Graham is getting his coat on. 7:58 Graham is out the door waiting and no Grant. I had made myself a promise to follow through.

When my watch turned 8 a.m. I took a big gulp and left with Graham as Grant screamed from the front door: GET BACK HERE! IM READY TO GO! COME BACK NOW!!! Graham was delighted with his special time with me. But I was freaking out. Even though Grant was of the age to be left alone, all I could think about was what I would say to the cops if Grant called them like he had threatened. I saw the headlines: "CAREGIVER NEGLECTS BLIND CHILD, SENTENCED TO 6 MONTHS IN PRISON".

Relieved, I returned to the house without a police car in sight. I opened the door to find Grant sitting in a heap no more ready than he was at 8a.m. I told him, When you are ready to leave, let me know and I will be happy to take you. Thats when the debate started: You didnt help me find my homework! My watch said 7:55 a.m. I wanted to lash back, but I didnt. Instead I pulled out something more powerfulthe vacuum. And vacuum I did, with a couple of, Sorry Grant cant hear you! When youre ready to go, let me know. It wasnt until 10:45 a.m. that he was ready. His motivation? He realized he was missing recess! We did have a good time walking to school. But the best part today he was on time!

Consistent change in your reaction to their behavior can inspire great change in your children its just a simple matter of being firm and following through.

Kelly Nault

Kelly Nault is the award-winning author of the book, "When You're About To Go Off The Deep End, Don't Take Your Kids With You." Kelly loves kids! This is why she motivates moms to put themselves first--so they have more to give their children. She is the founder of Ultimate Parent, a company that provides parenting resources such as the "Mommy Moments" free online parenting course.

Kelly?s contagious zest-for-life, and effective communication strategies have helped thousands of families to bring out their best. As a popular and entertaining media guest across North America, she is regularly quoted for such articles as "Psst! Children Secretly Like Chores" and regularly facilitates workshops for parents, corporate audiences, and colleges.

After receiving her Master?s in Counseling Psychology, Kelly completed a pre-doctoral internship and became the "go-to person" for emotionally, and mentally challenged children that other professionals have given up on. Early in her career, Kelly co-parented two violent, blind brothers for whom the community had lost hope. It was in this long-term position that she tested and disseminated the advice of leading parenting experts into her own brand of practical and effective Ultimate Parent tactics that work for common family struggles. Kelly?s approach to parenting is time-tested, child-proofed and effective in decreasing conflict while accelerating the ability for each family member to reach and fulfill their maximum potential.