"When families are actively involved in reinforcing positive behaviors at home, students are more likely to succeed academically and socially, creating a strong foundation for lifelong learning" (Bradshaw et al., 2010).
"When families are actively involved in reinforcing positive behaviors at home, students are more likely to succeed academically and socially, creating a strong foundation for lifelong learning" (Bradshaw et al., 2010).
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive framework that promotes positive behavior and enhances school climate. PBIS is implemented in three tiers: Tier 1 (School-wide supports), Tier 2 (Targeted interventions), and Tier 3 (Individualized support) (Sugai & Horner, 2006). Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing PBIS strategies at home to support their child’s social-emotional and behavioral development.
PBIS at Home: How Parents Can Support Positive Behavior
1. Establish Clear Expectations
Children benefit from knowing what is expected of them at home and school. Set clear, simple, and positive behavior expectations, such as:
Be Respectful – Use kind words and listen to others.
Be Responsible – Complete chores and homework on time.
Be Safe – Use walking feet inside the house.
Tip: Post these expectations in a visible area of your home and review them regularly (Bradshaw et al., 2010).
2. Reinforce Positive Behavior
PBIS focuses on positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate behavior. Praise, rewards, and encouragement help children build strong behavioral habits.
Verbal Praise: “I love how you shared your toys with your sibling!”
Token System: Earn stickers for completing chores and trade them for a fun activity.
Privilege-Based Rewards: Extra playtime or a favorite family activity for good behavior.
Tip: Reinforce positive behavior immediately and consistently (Horner et al., 2010).
3. Use Effective Consequences
PBIS encourages teaching behavior rather than just punishing misbehavior. If your child exhibits challenging behavior:
Stay Calm: Model self-control and avoid escalating the situation.
Redirect: Guide them toward making a better choice.
Logical Consequences: If a child refuses to clean up, they lose the privilege of using their toys for a short time.
Tip: Consistency is key—follow through with consequences every time (Sugai et al., 2000).
4. Teach Social and Emotional Skills
Teaching children emotional regulation and problem-solving skills is an essential part of PBIS.
Label Emotions: “I see you’re feeling frustrated. Let’s take deep breaths together.”
Practice Problem-Solving: Encourage solutions like “What can you do if your friend doesn’t share?”
Use Visual Aids: Emotion charts or calm-down corners can help children regulate emotions.
Tip: Role-play different scenarios to practice social skills (Bradshaw et al., 2012).
5. Collaborate with Schools
Working together with your child’s school creates a consistent support system.
Stay Informed: Attend PBIS parent meetings or workshops.
Communicate: Ask teachers about PBIS strategies used in class and apply them at home.
Celebrate Success: Share positive experiences with teachers to reinforce good behavior.
Tip: Collaboration strengthens PBIS implementation for long-term success (Horner et al., 2010).
PBIS Resources for Parents
PBIS.org – https://www.pbis.org/
Official website for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Provides family engagement guides, behavior strategies, and home implementation tips
Center on PBIS (Family Resources) – https://www.pbis.org/family
Offers parent training materials, at-home behavior strategies, and success stories
National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) – https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/
Resources on social-emotional development, positive behavior reinforcement, and parent toolkits
Intervention Central – https://www.interventioncentral.org/
Free tools for behavioral interventions, positive reinforcement strategies, and progress tracking
Understood.org – https://www.understood.org/
Support for parents of children with behavioral challenges, ADHD, and learning disabilities
Edutopia (PBIS in Schools and at Home) – https://www.edutopia.org/
Articles and videos on how families can reinforce PBIS strategies at home
Parent Toolkit by NBC News – https://www.parenttoolkit.com/
Practical tips on positive parenting, behavioral supports, and school collaboration
These websites provide valuable insights, downloadable materials, and evidence-based approaches to reinforce PBIS strategies at home and support your child’s success!