Imagine your child is doing his homework while there are warm cookies baking in the oven. You promise him two cookies if he first finishes his homework, but he can have one right away if he asks you. What will your child do? Wait for two cookies, or succumb to the desire of having one now? This experiment, also known as the ‘Marshmallow Experiment’ helps you figure your child’s ability to delay gratification.
The 1970 ‘Marshmallow Experiment’ was conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel on children’s delay of gratification. The study included children who were given the choice to either have one marshmallow immediately or have two marshmallows if they waited for a short period of time. By its findings it was seen that those children who could wait, tend to have better life results, such as higher academic success and improved social skills. This is the concept of delayed gratification that can be merged with parenting strategies for early childhood care.
Understanding the concept of delayed gratification
Delayed gratification is the ability to resist the temptation of getting an immediate reward in preference to waiting for a later reward. This is very essential for a child because of the fact that this trait corresponds to several positive adult outcomes, including better performance at school and healthier interpersonal relationships.
What did we learn from the ‘Marshmallow Experiment’?
- Cognitive strategies: Children who were able to delay gratification tended to use more cognitive strategies, such as distraction. For example, a child may look away or think of something else not to fixate on the marshmallow.
- Emotional intelligence: It was clear from this study that emotional control is important in self-control. The children who can control their emotions are those who succeeded in waiting.
- Environmental influences: The environment that a child is subjected to determines whether they can wait. For instance, children who felt secure and trusted their environments waited longer to enjoy the desirable items compared to those that experienced uncertainty.
Applications in Parenting
- Modelling self control: Parents can model self-control in everyday situations. For instance, when you are presented with a treat that you really want, explain the decision-making process: “I want this chocolate now, but I will save it for later because it will taste even better.”
- Setting up scenarios: Create opportunities that require waiting. For example, place your child’s favourite toy or snack out of reach and explain that they can have it after completing a task or waiting for a specific time.
- Using distraction techniques: Research shows that children who distract themselves tend to wait longer. Encourage your child to engage in different activities while waiting, such as drawing or playing with their toys.
- Praise and reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is needed when your child succeeds at displaying self-control. For instance, if your child waits patiently for dessert after dinner, celebrate with enthusiastic acknowledgement of their patience.
Conclusion
With this technique help, parents can strive at developing self-control skills with preschoolers. Understanding the involved cognitive and emotional processes at delayed gratification, adults set up environments that encourage and develop these necessary skills with preschoolers. Podar prep encourages parents to embrace such practical strategies that support children in building resilience in the face of immediate temptation and ultimately contribute to long-term success and well-being. Try the Marshmallow Experiment with your child and find more home experiments on Podar Prep’s Instagram.
