Lewistown Behavior Weekly
Behavior at a Glance...Issue 6
Kate Sword
Email: katelyn.sword@fcps.org
Phone: 240-236-3746
Contact Information & Daily Office Hours
John Witmer, School Therapist --- Office Hours 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. --- (240)-236-3744
Julie Ferguson, School Therapist --- Office Hours 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. --- (240)-236-3743
- Kate Sword, Behavioral Support Specialist --- Office Hours 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. --- (240)-236-3746
Behavior Tip of the Week!
Behavior Contracts
Is your child struggling adhering to rules, or displaying some sort of undesirable behavior---maybe a little "more so" than "normal" during this COVID-19 experience? I know I am struggling a little more myself. Sleeping a little more than I should, I'm less motivated to exercise and move my body, I find myself taking WAY more trips to the fridge than needed, accidentally online shopping late at night, finding a reason to put on regular clothes each day...I can keep going...so how do we break some of these habits? Or how do we change some of these behaviors? I know whenever I write something down and agree to it, I take things much more seriously. I pay my rent on time because I know there are consequences outlined in my lease if I don't. I take fitness classes at my gym more frequently when I know I agreed, in writing, to paying a certain amount of money for a membership each month. There's something about written documents, or contracts, sealed with a signature that keep us a little more accountable.
So, how can we use this strategy on our children (or maybe even our spouses) to decrease some undesirable behaviors, and increase or replace those with more desirable ones?
Steps to a Successful Behavior Contract:
1-Select 2 or less target behaviors for change. What are the "problem behaviors?" Clearly define these behaviors using language your child can understand. "Shouting and calling out answers in class," "Grabbing toys from my sibling without asking," "Saying I completed all of my schoolwork for the day, when I really only completed half," etc.
2-Identify the appropriate replacement behavior. What do you want your child to do instead? "Raise my hand and wait for the teacher to call on me when I have something to say," "Ask my sibling if I can have a turn and wait for permission before taking the toy," "Complete all of my schoolwork, turn it in, and show my parent the work I did today," etc.
3-Collaborate with your child. Have them help you come up with situational examples of both the target behavior (problem behavior) and the replacement behavior (what I need to do instead). Have open dialogue with your child and discuss what each looks like.
4-Develop reinforcers or rewards. What fun activities would your child like to earn for adhering to the contract? Extra electronic time, play date with a friend, movie night, baking a special treat, etc. Again, get them involved in selecting these activities to make them more meaningful!
5-Develop consequences. What happens if your child does not adhere to your contract? Maybe it's simply a loss of the opportunity to engage in the above rewards, but it could also be some form of "time-out," or additional responsibility/task. Things like "write an apology letter to my sibling," or "complete the remainder of my work on the weekend instead of playing outside," etc.
6-Develop clear and achievable expectations. How often will your child have the opportunity to earn the "reward?"---is this a daily, weekly, or monthly contract? Don't expect perfection, but do expect your child to demonstrate that "replacement behavior" (what I need to do instead) in the majority of situations.
7-Agree & sign. Involve all participants in this step. Ensure that all caregivers, parents, teachers, etc. interacting with your child to help them achieve this goal are aware of the contingencies outlined. Signing the contract makes it "official"---each participant is responsible for what it says!
8-Review and follow-up. Do this step as needed. Meet with your child and review what the contract says and what they agreed to. Use it as a teaching tool to refer back to both when your child earns the reward, and when they "break" their contract. Keep it in an easily accessible, safe location.
**Below are three Behavior Contract examples. Click the link to each to view a larger, printable version!**
Traditional Sample Contract
Just your basic, sample Behavioral Contract. Outlining lists of goals, rewards, consequences, review date, and signatures.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc6X4polwdg/UGcFWL8s28I/AAAAAAAABZs/dpueTEmoNkk/s1600/Slide7.jpg
Social Media Contract for Kids
Contracts can also serve as guidelines that are agreed upon in order to access something like having a social media account, participating in online "gaming" activities, etc. If you break the contract, you lose the privilege!
http://www.imom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/imom-social-media-contract.pdf
Behavior Bucks
This chart outlines specific behaviors that need to be displayed to earn "bucks," as well as behaviors that will result in losing "bucks." Reward options are available to "purchase" based on how many bucks earned. All you need is to add a signature line to agree, and you have a contract!
https://i.pinimg.com/640x/07/a0/2e/07a02e599851afd6996a881917313437.jpg
Sensory Corner
*** DIY sensory activities that you can do at home---incorporate sensory time into your child's day to help them explore new things, activate their senses, get moving, regulate emotions, and disconnect from "screen time"! ***
Elephant Toothpaste!
- Baking pan or tray
- Separate bowl or container
- Plastic bottle (soda bottle, water bottle, etc.)
- 2 Tablespoons warm water
- 1 teaspoon yeast
- 1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide (6% or higher)
- 4-5 drops food coloring
- Dish soap
Instructions:
In your separate bowl or small container, mix together 2 Tablespoons of warm water and 1 teaspoon of yeast. Stir and swirl the yeast and water together, then set aside. Place your baking pan or tray on your counter or table surface (this will catch the excess foam/liquid as the experiment reacts). Put your plastic bottle in the center of your baking pan/tray. To the plastic bottle, add the hydrogen peroxide, food coloring, and one squirt of dish soap. Pour the yeast mixture into the plastic bottle and be amazed! Watch the reaction, and play in the foam!