Final answer:
Among the options, establishing clear expectations and providing rewards for good behavior are proactive steps in managing behavior, as they prevent misbehavior through positive reinforcement. Punishing children and using time-out are reactive measures addressing behavior after it occurs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proactive steps to managing behavior involve actions taken before misbehavior occurs to prevent it, rather than responding to it after it has happened. Among the options presented, establishing clear expectations and rules and providing rewards and incentives for good behavior are proactive strategies. They are aligned with the principles of operant conditioning, where reinforcement is used to increase desirable behaviors. In contrast, punishing children for their actions and using time-out as the primary consequence are reactive measures that are implemented after a misbehavior has occurred and are aimed at decreasing the undesirable behavior.
Punishment, such as time-out, operates on negative punishment principles and can be effective in decreasing behavior but should be weighed against potential negative effects, such as inducing fear or aggression in children. Reinforcement, such as providing incentives, is generally favored because it is more likely to produce positive outcomes by encouraging good behavior rather than simply suppressing bad behavior.