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They are a long way from that, so reward behaviors that indicate a utilization of more effective cognitive coping skills. These rewards will be for behaviors that are successive approximations, that is, they are getting closer and closer to a behavior that would indicate that they are using effective coping skills. A rule of thumb is to reward better and don’t expect best.
Although this is not as scientific or detailed an explanation of shaping as you will find in behavior modification books, it should prove adequate for these purposes. You have to live in the real world, and deal with many day to day issues, not just teaching and modify coping skills.
Therefore, use everything you do in your normal day to reinforce the children’s coping skills in as non-intrusive or time consuming way as possible. Remember, if it is better than what they normally
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