Age group(s) for which this technique is helpful:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School

Primarily used to improve behavior:
At Home

Instructions for using this technique:
Think to yourself about the behaviors you would like to eliminate. Decide what should replace the behavior. Break down the new behavior into one or two steps per year of age. Give very clear instructions on what is being eliminated. Slowly and clearly walk them through the corrective steps they must engage in. Have them repeat one after another for a minimum of a half an hour at a time. Since learning this technique, I had tried less time for things I thought he may catch onto quicker - no go. It seems half an hour was key to cement the new behavior.

Other information parents should consider before using this technique:
The technique of repetition to build a consistant habit in your child is easy and painless. You use this technique to squash an incorrect behavior while creating a new more appropriate behavior.

I used to get so frustrated when I would explain what I wanted my son to change his behavior to over and over again. This made it so easy.

Let me explain how I finally discovered this. My ten year old son has had a very hard time remembering to put away his coat, backpack and shoes after school. The day I tripped and almost went down our stairs headfirst a light bulb went off. I found my son, handed him his shoes and guided him over to the closet. I instructed him to open the closet, put his shoes away, close the door. He did and went to leave. I said, "Um, I'm not done with you yet." I had him come back and take them back out, close the door again. He looked at me with a blank face. I then gave the instructions," Continue doing this for a half an hour. You cannot leave your things where people can trip over them. Now, you get to practice putting them away over and over until you learn. From now on, every time you leave them out you will practice putting them away." I had to repeat this three days in a row. Miraculously, it worked! No more hollering for him to come get them. No more frustration, no more taking away toys. I have carried this technique to any behavior he can relearn by repetition.