Positive reinforcement means that if the child meets her criteria, then she gets something. One way to do this is to have an immediate reward. As soon as your child finishes her homework, she gets her reward. This can be a preferred activity that is cheap and readily available. Some examples of preferred activities may be 15 minutes of extra computer time or watching a half-hour television program.
Positive reinforcement can also occur at a later time. Use a chart every day to track if your child has met the criteria. Decide with your child how many spaces should be on the chart. If you child meets the criteria for that day, then she gets to fill in a space on the chart or put a sticker on one space. Decide together how many spaces need to be filled before a reward can take place. A delayed reward must be something that the child is interested in and wants to work toward. These activities or rewards might be going to the movies, going snowboarding, buying a CD, or extra weekly allowance money. Once again, whatever the reward it, make sure you have decided together what it will be before you start.
Many think negative reinforcement means using punishment or something the child doesn't want. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Negative reinforcement means you are reinforcing a behavior by allowing the child to not do something. For example, if your child completes his homework without complaining, then he cannot take out the trash that evening or maybe not clean his room the next day. Whatever the task is, the parent must be OK with the child not doing it.
Whatever incentive system you choose, at the end of homework time, ask your child if she thinks she has earned her reward encourage your child to be a part of the process so they feel like they are in control of what is happening.
In addition, if your child has been working for a long time, give short breaks to take a drink or eat a light snack. Make sure the homework is at an appropriate level for your child to work at it individually. For example, the homework is not too difficult for your child to complete without your help. Finally, make sure you child had all the materials he needs to complete the homework.