I found this quite interesting- I have an 18 month old.
I think positive reinforcement is one of the best concepts ever. You don't necessarily have to promise an item to the child, you could just say for example "I know this isn't your favourite dinner, but if you would eat it, it would make mummy very happy". At the end of the day children want to appease you, this is why if they do something that makes you laugh, they constantly repeat the action.
Using a clicker can have it's uses, with regards to the whole sports/autism aspect, but using it to teach a child who isn't playing sports, or doesn't have autism etc, just seems a bit weird. I don't think you should have to resort to that really. But as said above, each to their own. I might have to eat my words someday if I have a child who isn't as well behaved as my little one now!

did U watch any of the videos? the primary advantage is accuracy, and in gymnastics, etc,
muscle-memory captures the whole body effect when it is being done right.

rather than a teacher incessantly interrupting to say, lift Ur chin, point this foot, lift Ur ribs, lengthen...
the entire gestalt is captured + recalled easily. speed of learning is considerably improved,
and the students are less anxious, since they get less criticism + more clarity.

watch the young ballerinas tagging each other, or the divers being tagged in midair -
U can see the advantages very quickly!

of course, it also gets used in math, etc.

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terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

What I meant was (maybe I didn't phrase it right) that it seems weird outside of those settings, as in if you're at home and your kid hangs up their coat and you clicker them? You can just say thanks for hanging up your coat!

That is exactly what I was saying: treat the children with the same respect and courtesy you would give an adult, and they will do the same for you.

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Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

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If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

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it depends - usually it is for a chain of behaviors, things done in sequence -
tie one's shoe, dance the tango, exercise at the barre, execute a forward-roll on a balance-beam...
but for kids who forget, or have a habit [toss the coat on a chair as they walk by],
TAggING can really help underline it - especially if the child has a tag-recorder and moves a bead each time.
10-beads = their choice for a Saturday activity, for example.

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

I was just looking for the TAG teach thingy when Tripod posted it

As far as I understand it, a child being taught something with a clicker isn't expecting a reward in the same way as a dog does; the reward is that they are learning something faster.

Also, rather than learning by correction "No, that's not right.... no, that's still not right...." and being PUT into position (I'm thinking more of the gymnastic/swimming type training), they are learning to put THEMSELVES into the right position. Therefore, they build up "muscle memory".

It's the same principle as a dog learning to sit by itself rather than having its bum pushed down.

ETA - or what LeashedForLife said. Must read whole thread before replying lol!