Teaching a behavior that schools expect to see works best when there is consistency across home and school settings. When a child has challenging behavior at school, a strong partnership between the school and family is important. Family involvement is a key feature when developing positive behavior support plans for all students. School-wide positive behavioral interventions and support is a school-wide approach to helping all children learn to self-manage behaviors. However, parent involvement is really important in all aspects of PBIS. When parents are involved, outcomes for children are better.
Tips for the Home
Tip #1: Keep Your Expectations Realistic
It is important for you to know and understand your child’s abilities and limitations. When you expect too much or too little from your child it can lead to problems and frustrations for you both.
Tip #2: Clearly State Your Expectations in Advance
Some undesirable behavior occurs because your child can’t act differently, other times it occurs because your child simply doesn’t want to act differently. Either way it helps for you to remember that your child cannot read your mind. Be sure to give your child one clear instruction so that he/she knows what it is that you want them to do.
Tip #3: Offer Limited, Reasonable Choices
Most children are not born with the built-in ability to make decisions and then accept the consequences. In order for your child to learn to take personal responsibility they will need plenty of support and practice.
Tip #4: Catch Your Child Being Good
Did you ever stop to think about how much time you spend telling your child what he/she should not do? Instead, try giving specific, positive attention to the behavior that you want to see. This will teach your child what you want them to do and increase the likelihood that this behavior will occur again and again.
Tip #5: Use “If...Then” Statements
An “if...then” statement is a simple instruction that tells your child what he or she must do in order to earn a desired consequence (what he/she wants to do). This is also known as a contingency statement. When you use a contingency statement, be sure you:
Give it a positive focus
State it only once
Set a reasonable time limit
Follow through
Tip #6: Stay Calm
When your child’s behavior is unacceptable, you can choose to either respond to it or ignore it. If you decide that a reaction is required, remember that the least response necessary is usually best. Acting calm with a minimum of attention will reduce the risk of strengthening the very behavior you wish to discourage. When you remain calm, it also gives you time to think about how you want to respond. Remember, you are modeling desired behavior for your child the more out-of-control your child becomes, the more self-control you need to show
Tip #1: Keep Your Expectations Realistic
It is important for you to know and understand your child’s abilities and limitations. When you expect too much or too little from your child it can lead to problems and frustrations for you both.
Tip #2: Clearly State Your Expectations in Advance
Some undesirable behavior occurs because your child can’t act differently, other times it occurs because your child simply doesn’t want to act differently. Either way it helps for you to remember that your child cannot read your mind. Be sure to give your child one clear instruction so that he/she knows what it is that you want them to do.
Tip #3: Offer Limited, Reasonable Choices
Most children are not born with the built-in ability to make decisions and then accept the consequences. In order for your child to learn to take personal responsibility they will need plenty of support and practice.
Tip #4: Catch Your Child Being Good
Did you ever stop to think about how much time you spend telling your child what he/she should not do? Instead, try giving specific, positive attention to the behavior that you want to see. This will teach your child what you want them to do and increase the likelihood that this behavior will occur again and again.
Tip #5: Use “If...Then” Statements
An “if...then” statement is a simple instruction that tells your child what he or she must do in order to earn a desired consequence (what he/she wants to do). This is also known as a contingency statement. When you use a contingency statement, be sure you:
Give it a positive focus
State it only once
Set a reasonable time limit
Follow through
Tip #6: Stay Calm
When your child’s behavior is unacceptable, you can choose to either respond to it or ignore it. If you decide that a reaction is required, remember that the least response necessary is usually best. Acting calm with a minimum of attention will reduce the risk of strengthening the very behavior you wish to discourage. When you remain calm, it also gives you time to think about how you want to respond. Remember, you are modeling desired behavior for your child the more out-of-control your child becomes, the more self-control you need to show