Behav Mod

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2001 : March : 21

Behav Mod
By Michelle

That really is a lot to handle, but it is getting to be the norm these days. So, here are a couple of suggestions.

First, find a way to make the charting as simple as possible. For example, let the kids keep the charts
and just tell them "Good job; give yourself a happy face!" If they don't earn the happy face, initial the blank space yourself in pen so that they can't fill it in. This puts more of the responsibility on them and helps make the transfer to self-monitoring. If you think they may be resistant to this idea because of less attention from you, get some special happy face drawing pens

for them to use. I use the crayola stamper markers and the kids pick which one they want to use each day. The kid with the most happy faces on Tuesday get to pick first on Wednesday, etc. Present the idea like you are giving them this wonderful treat because they are doing so much better!

As for the journals, make a ditto sheet with spaces for you to check off rather than having to write. For example, have a space for name and date that the child fills in. Then have five statements so that you can check or initial the appropriate one:

1. Your child had an excellent day!! Give him/her a hug and say how proud you are!!
2. Your child had a very good day! Be sure to praise his/her hard work.
3. Your child had an "O.K." day. Please encourage your child to do his/her best tomorrow.
4. Your child had difficulty following the class rules today. Please talk to your child about the importance working hard and following the rules. Let him/her know that we both expect immediate improvement.
5. Your child's behavior was unacceptable today.

Only write a note if you absolutely MUST explain something. This save a lot of writing time.

Another option would be to send the smiley face chart home and send a journal note once each week rather than daily. You can do everyone at the end of the week, or you can do one child each day.

It sounds like you're doing a great job. It is always difficult at the beginning, but you're on the right track. Individualizing for these kids is certainly important, but, over time, you will find shortcuts and procedures that work best for you. These will save you lots of time. Keep experimenting.

And, remember that no behavior plan should last forever. Modify as the kids improve. If you give smiley faces every 30 minutes now, move it to every 45 minutes as they improve. I can never keep up with the times, so I just do them after every activity period. When they get good at that, I start doing larger chunks of time until I can move to giving one at noon and one at the end of the day. Good luck!