Lesson Plan
Zero-In on the Good
Equip caregivers to identify and reinforce positive child behaviors using PCIT praise techniques, practice spotting and praising in real time, and commit to daily implementation.
Recognizing and reinforcing good behavior builds trust, boosts children’s self-esteem, and reduces negative behaviors. Caregivers will leave with practical tools to strengthen parent–child relationships.
Audience
Adult Caregiver Workshop
Time
75 minutes
Approach
Interactive slides, guided practice, game-based learning, and personal reflection.
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
30 minutes
- Print one copy per participant of the Behavior Spotting Tracker
- Print, cut, and shuffle Praise Bingo cards
- Print and separate Commitment Cards
- Load and review the Radar Techniques for PCIT slide deck to familiarize yourself with key praise strategies
Step 1
Welcome & Workshop Overview
10 minutes
- Greet participants and briefly introduce the goals of the session
- Outline the agenda and emphasize hands-on practice and interaction
- Share a quick icebreaker: ask caregivers to name one recent positive behavior they noticed in their child
Step 2
PCIT Praise Principles
15 minutes
- Present key concepts from the Radar Techniques for PCIT
- Define specific versus generic praise; demonstrate “PRIDE” skills (Praise, Reflect, Imitate, Describe, Enjoyment)
- Invite volunteers to role-play a quick praise exchange using sample scenarios
Step 3
Guided Behavior Spotting Practice
15 minutes
- Distribute the Behavior Spotting Tracker
- Show short video vignettes or read scenarios of child behavior
- In pairs, caregivers note observed positive behaviors and craft specific praise statements
- Debrief: share examples and discuss what made the praise effective
Step 4
Praise Bingo Game
20 minutes
- Explain Praise Bingo rules: mark behaviors you’ve praised recently
- Participants circulate, share praise examples, and mark their bingo cards when they hear matching behaviors
- First to get Bingo shares their favorite praise statement with the group
Step 5
Commitment Cards Cool-Down
10 minutes
- Hand out Commitment Cards
- Ask caregivers to write one specific goal: when, where, and how they will use praise daily
- Pair-share commitments to increase accountability
Step 6
Reflection & Closing
5 minutes
- Invite a few participants to share their commitments
- Summarize key takeaways and encourage ongoing practice
- Thank everyone and suggest setting calendar reminders for daily praise tracking
Slide Deck
Radar Techniques for PCIT
Spotting and reinforcing positive child behaviors using PCIT’s PRIDE skills.
Welcome participants to the PCIT Radar slide deck. Introduce yourself and explain that this session will equip caregivers with concrete praise strategies.
Workshop Objectives
• Understand why positive reinforcement matters
• Learn the PRIDE framework (Praise, Reflect, Imitate, Describe, Enjoyment)
• Differentiate specific vs. generic praise
• Practice scanning for and delivering effective praise
Review the learning goals. Invite participants to reflect on why they came today.
Why Positive Reinforcement?
• Builds children’s self-esteem and confidence
• Strengthens the caregiver–child relationship
• Increases the likelihood of repeating good behaviors
• Reduces attention to negative behaviors
Frame positive reinforcement as a foundational tool that builds trust and reduces problem behaviors.
PCIT Radar Concept
• Scan the environment for positive child behaviors
• Lock on and move in with attention and praise
• Reinforce what you want to see more of
• Keep the radar active throughout daily routines
Introduce the radar metaphor: caregivers train their internal “radar” to notice small positive moments.
PRIDE Skills Overview
P: Praise specific behaviors
R: Reflect child’s speech or emotion
I: Imitate appropriate play
D: Describe what the child is doing
E: Show genuine Enjoyment
Provide a high-level overview of PRIDE skills before diving deeper.
Specific vs. Generic Praise
Specific Praise:
• “You lined up all your blocks by color—excellent work!”
Generic Praise:
• “Good job.”
Explain the difference between praising generally (“Good job!”) versus praising specifically (“You put away your toys so quickly!”).
P: Praise
• Verbally acknowledge exactly what you saw
• Use enthusiastic tone and positive body language
• Keep it short, sincere, and immediate
• Example: “Wow, you climbed all the way up by yourself!”
Detail how to use the first PRIDE skill—Praise. Emphasize timeliness and honesty.
R: Reflect
• Repeat or rephrase the child’s words or feelings
• Validates their communication and emotion
• Example: Child says “I’m proud,” caregiver replies “You’re proud for finishing your puzzle!”
Explain Reflect: echoing or paraphrasing what the child says to show active listening.
I: Imitate
• Copy the child’s play or action to show you’re engaged
• Encourages continued exploration and creativity
• Example: Child rolls car, caregiver rolls car alongside
Define Imitate: join in by matching the child’s play action or behavior.
D: Describe
• Provide a running commentary on the child’s activity
• Helps build language and attention skills
• Example: “You’re carefully stacking three red blocks now!”
Describe: narrate exactly what the child is doing to reinforce awareness.
E: Enjoyment
• Show genuine delight through smile, tone, and eye contact
• Strengthens emotional connection
• Example: Clap softly, say “This is so much fun playing together!”
Enjoyment: convey warmth and pleasure in shared moments.
Putting PCIT Radar into Action
Scenario: Child quietly moves their chair after finishing an art project without being asked.
• What did you notice?
• How would you praise it specifically?
Walk through a brief scenario. Ask participants to spot the behavior and craft a specific praise statement.
Next Steps
• Use your Behavior Spotting Tracker daily to record moments you spot
• Apply PRIDE skills in real-life routines
• Share experiences during Praise Bingo and reflection activities
Encourage caregivers to integrate these techniques with the Behavior Spotting Tracker tool. Lead into the next hands-on practice.
Worksheet
Behavior Spotting Tracker Worksheet
Use your PCIT “radar” to notice and log positive child behaviors. For each observation, record details and craft a specific praise statement to reinforce the behavior immediately.
Entry 1
Date: ____________________ Time: ____________________
Behavior Observed:
How I Noticed It (Radar Alert):
My Specific Praise Statement:
Child’s Reaction/Outcome:
Reflection: What felt effective? What could I try differently next time?
Entry 2
Date: ____________________ Time: ____________________
Behavior Observed:
How I Noticed It (Radar Alert):
My Specific Praise Statement:
Child’s Reaction/Outcome:
Reflection: What felt effective? What could I try differently next time?
Entry 3
Date: ____________________ Time: ____________________
Behavior Observed:
How I Noticed It (Radar Alert):
My Specific Praise Statement:
Child’s Reaction/Outcome:
Reflection: What felt effective? What could I try differently next time?
Practice Scenarios
- Scenario: Child cleans up toys without prompt.
Describe what you’d spot:
Your specific praise statement: - Scenario: Child helps a sibling share art supplies.
Describe what you’d spot:
Your specific praise statement:
When you’re ready, bring your completed tracker to the next activity (Praise Bingo) or use it to inform your goal on the Commitment Cards. Happy spotting!
Game
Praise Bingo
A lively icebreaker and practice game where caregivers connect, share, and reinforce their use of specific praise statements by marking off common positive child behaviors on a bingo card.
Objective
- Encourage caregivers to recognize patterns in positive behaviors
- Practice crafting and sharing specific praise statements
- Foster peer learning and idea exchange
Materials
- Pre-printed Praise Bingo cards (one per participant)
- Pens or markers
- Small prizes (optional)
Setup (5 minutes)
- Distribute one Praise Bingo card and a marker to each caregiver.
- Explain that each square lists a positive behavior.
- The center square is a “FREE” space—mark it automatically.
How to Play (20 minutes)
- Caregivers mingle and share specific praise statements they’ve used or witnessed that match any behavior on their card.
- When a participant hears or gives a praise example for a behavior on their card, they mark that square.
- Continue until someone completes five in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally and shouts, “Bingo!”
- The winner reads aloud one of their favorite praise statements from their completed line.
- If time permits, continue for 2nd and 3rd Bingo prizes.
Sample Praise Bingo Card
| B | I | N | G | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaned up toys unprompted | Asked politely for help | Helped a sibling | Used a calm tone | Shared art supplies |
| Put shoes away | Used “please” or “thank you” | FREE | Followed instructions quickly | Washed hands before eating |
| Took turns | Transitioned calmly | Set the table | Complimented a friend | Put toys back in bin |
| Started homework solo | Brushed teeth on time | Asked to share | Took deep breaths when upset | Picked up dropped items |
| Fed the pet | Dressed without prompt | Put clothes in hamper | Waited patiently | Helped clear the table |
(You may customize or swap out behaviors to fit your group’s context.)
Debrief (5 minutes)
- Invite one or two Bingo winners to share why their chosen praise statement was effective.
- Discuss any new ideas or wording that stood out.
- Encourage participants to record standout praise examples on their Behavior Spotting Tracker.
When you’re ready, move on to the Commitment Cards activity to set your personal praise goals for the week. Happy spotting and praising!
Cool Down
Commitment Cards Cool-Down
Take the next 10 minutes to turn today’s learning into a personal action plan. Use this card to set a concrete, achievable goal for using specific praise in your daily routines.
My Daily Praise Commitment
When (time or situation):
Where (routine or location):
Behavior I will watch for:
My exact praise statement:
Potential challenge(s):
How I’ll overcome it:
How I’ll track my progress:
Pair-Share & Display
- Turn to a partner and read your commitment aloud.
- Offer each other supportive feedback and suggestions.
- Keep this card somewhere you’ll see it everyday (e.g., refrigerator, planner, phone wallpaper).
Thank you for your dedication—small, consistent praise moments make a big difference!