General Strategies
Create routines and be consistent.
Be clear with your expectations. Give instructions while sitting next to your child and check for understanding.
Provide transition warnings, timers, cues, countdowns, songs, etc. (for example, in 5 minutes it is time to clean up your toys).
Be aware of hunger, fatigue, anxiety, or other emotions, and any distractions in the environment. You have to take care of these first before your child can be ready to learn.
Allow your child to develop the daily schedule with you. Give them choices of activities or the order in which they work on tasks.
Make time for quality interactions that are fun. Playing with an adult builds social and academic skills for kids.
Resources
Document: “Child-Directed Play”
Activity: Create a simple schedule that includes movement breaks and takes into consideration the realities of your current home life.
Video: Managing Emotions
General Strategies
Acknowledge positive behaviors. Model gratitude and build self-awareness by thanking your child for their hard work in a specific way (ex: "I'm really impressed with how you kept trying even though you didn't know the answer.")
Use reward charts when your child struggles to stay focused and persevere when things get hard. It is important to gradually remove them once your child has developed the ability to work without the rewards.
Ensure your expectations are within the level of your child’s development. Rewards will not override developmental readiness. Setting realistic expectations will set you and your child up for success.
Resources
Video: Schedule Daily Check-ins
Video: Praising
Article: Using Reward Charts
Sample Sticker and Reward Charts. We like the Count & Color or Sticker Chart for younger kids. The Plain chart is great for older students.
Activity: Reward Jar
General Strategies
Set rules and be consistent.
When escalated, give your child time and space to calm down. When your child is calm, return to the original task. Do your best to follow through with your expectations.
Manage your own emotions as the adult. It is okay to take a step back and acknowledge your feelings and need for time and space.
Resources
Resource: PBIS World