One of the most obvious and direct ways to modify behavior is to set forth consequences for certain actions. This makes an individual clear about the consequences of her actions, and it can help you be fair and calculated in applying behavioral modification. For children, a list or written agreement can help set forth punishments and consequences for their actions. For adults or children, you can tell them that if they do something, then you will do something in return. This sets forth a clear consequence, which should deter them from doing things.
Punishments and consequences may tempt a person to violate certain rules to gain attention or defy your authority. Rewards are a good way to modify that type of behavior and to promote the behavior you desire. Present a time frame and a behavioral goal that you wish to accomplish, and tell the children that you will reward them for certain behaviors if they behave during this time. These can be short-term or long-term rewards. Rewards acknowledge desirable behavior and motivate individuals to modify their behavior to achieve recognition.
Many times, a teacher may, instead of chastising misbehaving children and drawing attention to them, simply recognize how well certain students are behaving. Sometimes children misbehave to get attention, and if you direct your attention to those who are behaving well, then these students might desire to copy their peers. Adults also desire to be admired, and so complimenting another person's good quality may encourage an adult to adopt that quality. Presenting model behavior is a good way to get others to strive to modify their own behavior to receive such recognition.
Although the temptation may be to exert a lot of effort to modify behavior, sometimes doing nothing is the best way to accomplish behavior modification. Ignoring certain behaviors and refusing to give in to tantrums, episodes or bad moods can force others to get your attention in an alternative way. Ignoring people can force others to see that their attempts to get a rise out of you are ineffective, and so they will adopt new ways of acting and gaining your attention. Doing nothing can be a powerful tool.