http://www.ldonline.org/article/6030Behavior Management Techniques
Teaching Theme of the Week
by Linda Starr, Education World®
Focus
Project the morning's brainteaser or bell ringer activity onto the chalkboard with an overhead projector. That spotlight in the dimly lit room helps focus students' attention on the work and on day ahead.
Who's Watching?
When leaving the classroom as a group, tell students you will be watching the behavior of two students, but don't say who they are. If the two you are watching behave, reward the entire class after returning to the room.
Pasta Discipline
When students are all working well on a task, together or independently, grab a handful of macaroni and dump it into a jar. When the jar is full, students have earned an agreed-upon reward. Possible rewards might include a free activity time, a night without homework, or an ice-cream treat.
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ADHD Behavior Modification Technique
What is ADHD Behavior Modification?
ADHD Behavior modification is rewarding desired behavior with privileges or rewards while discouraging bad behavior with removal of privileges or adding appropriate punishment.
Most behavior modification systems or ADHD Incentive Charts use a computerized scoring program where the parent inputs desired behavior and undesired behavior. On a weekly basis or at the parents discretion recorded behaviors are reviewed with the child.
The desired behavior may include performing chores, completing homework on time and behaving at school. Undesirable behaviors may include not completing their chores, not doing homework, loud and disturbing behavior.
The parent will also input what the rewards are for good behavior. These may be video console time, allowance bonus, TV time or other reward the parent deems appropriate.
At the end of a week or month the child will be given a score that will determine what reward or punishment they will receive. The advantage of systems such as the Encourage Software ADHD Incentive Charts is they build the child's self esteem and accountability because they ultimately have a hand in their outcome.
Some adhd behavior modification systems use flash cards, video tapes to coach parents using the system. In addition, there are homework improvement techniques available on most systems.
To find out if a ADHD Behavior Modification treatment may work for your child take a look at the Encourage Software ADHD Incentive Charting System.
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To stop an inappropriate behavior, first the behavior must be observed. It is helpful to chart the behavior: what events precede the behavior, what time of day it is observed, etc., to understand the pattern of the behavior. It's important to at first focus on just one or two offending behavior patterns. Once a behavior pattern is recognized and its pattern charted and understood, a system of reinforcements and consequences can then be constructed.
An example of a positive reinforcement used immediately after appropriate behavior can be as simple as offering praise immediately after the behavior occurs. Extinction can be used when the behavior can be seen and measured, and an example of this would be to ignore the child’s whining behavior. This can be particularly effective if the parent has given in to whining demands in the past. However, when inappropriate behavior is ignored, then another, more appropriate behavior, must be reinforced.
An example of negative reinforcement is when a child is allowed to skip a required chore if homework is finished by a certain time. A simple example of punishment is when a child is reprimanded or criticized for the inappropriate behavior.
In order to teach and develop new behaviors, successive steps can be reinforced until the final, appropriate behavior is achieved. Based on the observed behavioral patterns, another behavioral method for success is to teach cueing: arranging for the child to receive a cue for correct behavior prior to the expected action can reinforce the child for the appropriate behavior and for recognizing the cue even before the child has a chance to perform the inappropriate behavior.
The key to a successful program of behavior modification is consistency. And a key piece of behavior modification that parents and teachers can perform is to present their own behavior and reactions in a positive way, so that children can learn and model successful behavior.
References:
Mental Health Glossary, C.J. Newton, MA, Learning Specialist (July 1996).
© WordNet, Princeton University , Princeton University Cognitive Science Lab.
Maricopa Community College Center for Learning and Instruction, 2004.
Utah Students At Risk, Utah State University, 2004.
http://www.snet.net/features/issues/articles/1998/05150101.shtmlhttp://www.ehow.com/how_13758_create-behavior-modification.html
