Final answer:
B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning theory explains that children's behavior is influenced by the consequences of their actions, with positive reinforcement increasing the likelihood of a behavior being repeated and negative consequences reducing it.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principles of learning emphasized by B.F. Skinner are most helpful in explaining why children behave in certain ways. Skinner's theory of operant conditioning suggests that behavior is shaped by the consequences it produces. For example, if a child receives positive reinforcement, such as praise or a reward, for a behavior, they are more likely to repeat that behavior in the future. Similarly, negative reinforcement or punishments can decrease the likelihood of a behavior's occurrence. Skinner's approach provides a framework for understanding how environmental factors such as rewards and feedback play a crucial role in the learning process of children, from language development to social behaviors and beyond.