Redirection
What is it?
Directing the child what you want them to do/what the original expectation instead of reacting to the inappropriate behaviour
Often used to “distract” the child from engaging in the inappropriate behaviour
Prompt the child to engage in a more appropriate behaviour
Reduces attention to the inappropriate behaviour
Always provide reinforcement when the child engages in the “redirected” behaviour
Try to redirect to something “similar”
If you are trying to redirect to a new activity, try doing it yourself to entice your child
Examples
Your child is crying for their iPad which is not available - you show them another type of toy/device they can have instead
Your child is throwing items on the floor and watching them drop repeatedly - you get your child’s attention (“Look”) and begin throwing crumpled pieces of paper into the garbage can
Your child is getting frustrated and crumples their homework sheet - you point to a word card you have placed on the table that says “Help”