Reinforcer Games

Children throw a beanbag into the "earth tub", "moon tub" or "sun tub" for answering a question or completing a task. Picture at www.littlegiraffes.com/sky.html.

Select a simple picture that goes with a current theme or fits the child's interest. For each correct answer, allow the child to place a sticker on the picture. There's an example at www.littlegiraffes.com/valentines.html. Scroll down to Vocabulary Practice.

Make an Igloo game mat (www.littlegiraffes.com/winter.html - about halfway down the page) Put a marshmallow (or white pompom) on each block of the igloo for each correct answer.

Use a puzzle as a reinforcer. Let the child choose the puzzle. The therapist holds the pieces and gives one piece for every 2-3 responses.

Play Hangman- I put spaces on a dry erase board for hangman. Every 2-5 responses, I put a letter on the board. This motivates him to continue working and find out what will be written on the board. I usually write something that I'm going to let him do (such as play Nintendo) or I write down a character's name (either from Disney or Nintendo). -source unknown

Use wood blocks to spell words- This is the same concept as hangman, but I spell the words with blocks. This child is really reinforced by reading, so a lot of his program is centered around his reading ability. -source unknown

Social reinforcement- I often give him social reinforcement, but I use lines from his favorite movies to reinforce. For example instead of saying, "Good Job" i say "GROOVY BABY!! (Austin Powers)." He LOVES THIS! I also say things like "Shagadelic!!" He's an Austin powers fan...if you can't tell!!! -source unknown

If you happen to know the source of any of the last 3 games, please add a comment. I've collected tons of ideas and lost track of where some of them came from.

Reinforcers - Auditory

For a multiple-page reinforcer checklist in Word format, please contact me. Include your email address, and I will send a copy to you as an attachment. Please add your ideas in Comments. I will add them to upcoming revisions of the full checklist. Thanks!

blowing a whistle
blowing in bottles
blowing / talking into a cup to hear echo
bubble wrap
clappers
drum
duck noises
echo mic
egg shakers
game buzzer
gravity / groan tube
have therapist whistle
horns
keyboard (piano)
listening to music
listening to a watch
music box
party noisemakers
party poppers
pop a balloon
rain stick
ring a bell
silly sounds with lips
sing songs
sound books
squeaky toys
talking toy

If you have an idea for this task that you would like to share, please add a Comment. Thank you!

Reinforcers - Food

For a multiple-page reinforcer checklist in Word format, please contact me. Include your email address, and I will send a copy to you as an attachment. Please add your ideas in Comments. I will add them to upcoming revisions of the full checklist. Thanks!

animal crackers
cake
candy cane
candy kisses
Cheerios
cheese
cheese balls
chocolate chips
chocolate milk
Cookie Crisp cereal
cookies
corn chips
cottage cheese
Cracker Jacks
crackers
cupcakes
doughnuts
frosting
frozen M&Ms
fruit
Fruit Loops
fruit snacks
goldfish
gum
gummy bears
ice cream
ice cream toppings
jam/jelly
Jello jigglers
juice
lemonade
licorice
lollipops
M&Ms (esp the minis)
milk
mini marshamallows
peanut butter
popcorn
popsicle
potato chips
pretzels
pudding
raisins
raw veggies
Reese's pieces
salt & vinegar chips
Skittles
Smarties
soda
sour candy
Starburst
Trix
yogurt

If you have an idea for this task that you would like to share, please add a Comment. Thank you!