BehaviorSpecific

Praise
Statement
s
Behavior specific praise statements can be
used to help improve appropriate behavior
and decrease problematic behavior. A
Behavior Specific Praise (BSP) statement is
one that is more specific than a praise
statement like good job. BSP would tell the
student exactly what you liked about what
they just did. An example would be, Jane, I
like the way you came to class prepared, or
John, youre doing your assignment quietly, I
like it. These are mainly used for children
with emotional and behavioral disorders, but
can be used with other students as well. It
works well when the teacher is trying to get a

How to
Implement
Use a selfrecording system
Select target
students

Select a target
behavior

Create a way to
record the amount
of times that you
praise the student
Set up a time where
the student will have
a chance to receive
the praise the first
time. Ex: the
students favorite
activity. Start to
praise the student
regularly.
Make a list of
behaviors that need
to be changed,
prioritize them, and
pick the top few. As
soon as the student
shows the correct
behavior, give the
BSP statement. This
will need to be done

References
Fullerton, E., Conroy, M., & Correa, V. (2009). Early childhood teachers' use of specific
praise statements with young children at risk for behavioral disorders. Behavioral
Disorders, 34(3), 118-135 18p.
Haydon, T., & Musti-Rao, S.. (2011). Effective Use of Behavior-Specific Praise: A Middle
School Case Study. Beyond Behavior, 20(2), 3139.
Musti-Rao, S., & Haydon, T. (2011). Strategies to Increase Behavior-Specific Teacher
Praise in an Inclusive Environment. Intervention In School And Clinic, 47(2

Increases
Appropriate
Behavior

Decreases
Problem
Behaviors

Easy to
Implement

No More
Frustration

Targets
Students with
EBD