The efficacy of a response cost-based treatment package for managing aggressive behavior in preschoolers.

Four preschoolers who hit, kicked, or threw things joined the study.

Teachers gave each child three smiley-face tokens at the start of every session.

Each time the child hit or kicked, the teacher took one token away.

The study used a multiple-baseline design across kids to show cause and effect.

Aggressive acts dropped sharply for every child once the response-cost system began.

Parents and teachers both said they liked the smiley-face plan and would keep using it.

Diaz de Villegas et al. (2024) later tested synchronous reinforcement in preschool and saw even bigger gains in on-task behavior. Their 2024 data now supersede the 1997 token findings for classroom-wide use.

de Kuijper et al. (2014) extended the idea by adding parent training at home. Their Preschool First Step package cut problem behaviors further, showing that teacher-only tokens can be strengthened with a home part.

Mace et al. (1990) ran parent-implemented DRI in the living room and got the same large drops in disruption. The pattern shows both teacher tokens and parent praise work, so you can pick the agent who has the most time.

You can start a smiley-face response-cost system tomorrow with almost no cost. Give three tokens, remove one per aggressive act, and watch the hitting fall. If you want even bigger gains, pair the tokens with brief parent lessons or add synchronous praise as shown in the newer work. Either way, you get a classroom-friendly plan that adults actually like.