Can I have my breakfast now please?

I’m sitting very nicely, I’m not standing on the toaster, or knocking things from the counter onto the floor.
I remember learning behaviourist ideas about childcare, many decades ago. I must say I found rewarding the behaviour I wanted to see, rather than paying attention only when an unacceptable attention-seeking behaviour arose, worked fairly well with my son. In fact, if childcare was taught in schools - which would be a good idea I think - getting over that one idea would be very valuable.  Over and over I see parents more or less ignoring their kids until they do something that’s not ok - and then  they get the attention.  Not a very good thing to teach them.  Anyhow, it also seems to work pretty well with cats, and if I manage to get her breakfast ready first thing, we don’t get the sneaky push push push of items onto the floor. Containers of porridge oats, or cat biscuits are among the most annoying ones for me, and rewarding for her:-) A final thought, I think children are easier than cats (from my experience).