Shape: building a flexible repertoire

Abstract A core aspect of child development, and hence of parenting, is the development of a broad and flexible behavioral repertoire in the child. Behavioral theories describe how specific behaviors are acquired, strengthened, weakened, and shaped by context. In essence, the context selects specific behaviors and facilitates the evolution of behavior over time. With greater awareness of principles of learning and behavior, parents are able to shape the development of a broad and flexible repertoire of adaptive behaviors and are less likely to fall into the trap of strengthening dysfunctional and coercive behavioral patterns in their children. The application of behavioral theory to parenting can be distilled into three key principles: to shape an array of adaptive behaviors by mindful attention to and reinforcement of them, to avoid reinforcing problematic behaviors, and to use punishment sparingly. The positive parenting strategies within evidence-based behavioral parenting interventions are derived from these principles