Are you looking for a reinforcement strategy that uses visual cues, behavior-specific praise, and modeling? Try Superstars reinforcement.
What is “Superstars” Reinforcement?
“Superstars” reinforcement is a social skills strategy that uses visual cues, behavior-specific praise, and modeling to teach and reinforce specific social skill concepts.
An educator asked about a new student in their preschool classroom with a disability who was having difficulty fitting in with their peers. They were looking for help encouraging their students to interact with the new student and engage in play.
How does “Superstars” Reinforcement work?
Preschool-age children may struggle with perspective-taking. They want to play their game and don’t always notice if others may feel excluded. We recommend having center time with predetermined groups.
In the groups, have a staff member model the behavior of inviting a student to play, taking turns with each child, and working together while playing.
As your students are practicing these skills, reward them with a “superstar”, which could be a star sticker, pin, or stamp, to wear or display at their desk after they have displayed the targeted social skill concept you modeled. Children who receive superstars could wear them until the end of the school day.
If small groups are too difficult and don’t seem to work for your students, try practicing the skills in pairs instead. Provide students with a lot of reminders and encouragement to practice the targeted skill.
Quick Facts
- Child’s Age: 3-5 | 6-10
- Planning Effort: Moderate
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Reinforcement Concepts
For “Superstar” to be successful, your student should have the ability to pair a skill with a reinforcer.
How to Implement “Superstars” Reinforcement:
- Decide on the behavior you want to teach and reinforce (i.e., sharing, inviting a peer to play with you, cleaning up together, helping each other).
- Define, review, and model the behavior at group time.
- During play, recess, and free choice time, reinforce each child who displays the targeted behavior with a pre-made superstar sticker/stamp/pin or whatever the chosen “superstar” reinforcement item is.
Special Education Reinforcement Resources
Social Skills Lesson for Learning to Play Together (related Watson resource)
Celebrating Student Strengths in the Classroom (related Watson resource)
This resource was authored by Watson Institute Special Education Consultant, Lisa Plastino, M.Ed.
If you have questions or concerns about the Watson Institute’s use of this information, please contact us.