(HealthDay News) -- Children often perpetuate a behavior when it's rewarded, and stop a behavior when it's ignored, the American Academy of Family Physicians says.

So what can parents do to encourage good behavior? The academy offers these suggestions:

• Make it clear that bad behavior is not acceptable.
• Be clear in explaining the rules and your expectations, and how the child can be rewarded.
• Instead of punishing a child for not following the rules, do not give the child any reward.
• Rewards may be determined by setting a timer for completion of a task, or by giving children a "star" each time they practice good behavior. After a predetermined number of stars is reached, give the child a reward.