September 2021: Behavior is a Super Power!
September 2021: Behavior is a Super Power!
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Kindergarten and 1st grade students explore expected vs unexpected behaviors. We use the book You Are a Social Detective!: Explaining Social Thinking to Kids by, Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke. They recognize that behavior is a choice. They learn that their choice affects others. It is their POWER to choose!
How do we know what is expected?
We have to learn to be social detectives. We use our eyes, our ears, our emotions and our brains to gather clues.
Students learn to think about the setting to get clues about expected behaviors.
In the Library – quiet voices are expected.
At recess – screaming, running and throwing are expected behaviors.
In the classroom – following the directions of the teacher is expected.
Students learn to think about people to get clues about expected behaviors.
With our parents – it might be expected that we hold hands or snuggle.
With our friends – being silly and telling jokes might be expected.
With our teacher – using a respectful tone and respectful words is expected.
Students learn to think about the emotions of self and others.
Reading body clues
Becoming aware of personal feelings: worry, confused, calm, happy, connected
Listening to tone of voice
When we choose expected behaviors, people feel good around us. They have good thoughts and feelings about us.
When we choose unexpected behaviors, people can feel confused around us. They have uncomfortable thoughts and feelings about us.
Use the language at home
Clarify what is expected at the dinner table? in the car? during your bedtime routine? Simply say, “make an expected choice,” or “show me expected behavior,” to redirect. You could also say, “unexpected,” when you notice negative behavior and that will be your child’s cue to make a better choice.
It is important for kids to feel in control, to know their choices have power. It is also important for children to know their boundaries. Expected behaviors have positive consequences. Unexpected behaviors have negative consequences.
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