Is it okay to use rewards to teach behavior?

Using rewards (praise, a favorite activity) to increase desirable behavior is a widely used, effective method. It needn't be a "thing"—a smile, attention, and a "you did it" are fine rewards too. The knack: (1) right after they succeed, (2) with specifics about what was good, and (3) frequently at first, tapering as they get used to it. Rather than "great job," naming the behavior concretely ("you lined up your shoes by yourself") and making the parent's feeling the subject ("I'm happy you did that"—an I-message) gets through better. Making it visible—"do this, then ○○"—makes it clearer. Gradually shifting material rewards toward words and a sense of accomplishment keeps it from becoming reward-dependent.