Growing PAX: Tips & Tricks

Content Source: PAX Good Behavior Game 4th Ed. Manual, pp. 54-55

• In the beginning, some students may be quick to comply with PAX Quiet while others may take longer. Be sure to verbally recognize and thank those students who comply right away, especially if they are sitting near someone who is not yet paying attention.

• When the students are struggling to respond more quickly, try repeating the entire process and challenging the students to do "a little better." You can use Beat the Timer to increase this positive pressure, as well as a Granny's Wacky Prize to celebrate student success.

• Make sure to end on low tones on the harmonica when using PAX Quiet, as higher tones can be shrill and trigger trauma responses.

• Be sure not to blow the harmonica multiple times for one transition. This decreases the power of PAX Quiet by communicating to the students that they do not need to respond the first time because you will ask again anyway.

• The purpose of PAX Quiet is to gain students' attention in order to give verbal instructions or initiate a transition--not to quiet students down per se. PAX Voices are for setting the level of sound and you can use it to explain the expectation voice level for a task.

• Always follow PAX Quiet with some form of thanks and your instructions, as well as a release cue so students can stand with PAX Hands and PAX Feet during those instructions.

• If students' eyes are not looking at your face when you give the instructions only about 20% of them will attend to your instruction. If students are looking at your face for the instruction, about 80% will understand and follow instructions. This is especially important for English Language Learners or children who have difficulties with receptive language.

The Southern Oregon PAX Collaborative (SoPAX) works to support the effective implementation of the PAX Good Behavior Game within early childhood, K-12, and youth development settings. Our goal is to see the efforts of professionals and volunteers working with children empowered through knowledge of how to create Nurturing Environments. Through this, we believe that each PAX Leader will grow in their abilities to self-regulate, connect, and success in school and in life.

Email: susan.fischer@allcarehealth.com
Website: www.paxoregon.org
Location: Jackson & Josephine Counties
Phone: 541.471.4106 8146
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernOregonPAX/