Specific positive comments made to children during the game are a powerful way to reinforce prosocial skills and build positive self-concepts. Verbal reinforcers need to be specific, immediate and applied liberally to be effective.

 

For example:

 

 

• I like the way you kept trying to work out solutions

• It’s great that you waited for your turn even though it was hard

• Good listening (waiting, sharing, helping, encouraging, comforting etc)

• Thank you for sharing (waiting, listening, being kind etc)

• That was a fair (kind, friendly, etc) thing to do

• I can see being fair (honest, helpful etc) is important to you