PBIS AT HOME Step by Step

How do I use PBIS at home? Research shows that when behavior expectations are clearly established and taught in the home, children’s problem behavior is prevented or reduced. If it works at school, it can work at home, right?

Here are the steps… 1.Clear Expectations 2.Family Meeting 3.Use a Positive Reinforcement for Appropriate Behaviors 4.Use of Consequences for Problem Behaviors

Step 1 – Clear Expectations Create a behavior matrix that establishes expected behaviors for essential routines at home. Use the 3B’s that your children know from school… Be Safe Be Responsible Be Respectful

Here’s an example of a teaching matrix for home… ExpectationsGetting Up in the Morning Getting to School Doing My Part/Chores Having Fun Together Homework Time Meal TimeGetting Ready for Bed Be Safe Wait at the designated area at the bus stop. Watch out for sharp knives, glass, or hot dishes/stove. Be Responsible Bring my breakfast dishes to the sink. Leave on time to be at school on time. Follow the chore chart. Put away what I take out. Pack my backpack so it is ready for tomorrow. Help to clear the table Pick out my clothes for tomorrow. Be Respectful Be quick in the bathroom so others can use it too. Show good sportsman- ship. Listen while others speak. Go to bed at my designated bed time. You may find that you don’t need to fill in every box of the matrix. Choose the most “essential” expectations for your family.

Step 2 – Family Meeting It is a good idea to hold a Family Meeting to present the matrix at home. Explain the expected behavior. (It is a good idea to get input from the kids, but you don’t need their approval. You’re the adult!) Demonstrate the expected behavior. Role play/practice the behavior. Explain the positive reinforces and the consequences.

Step 3 – Positive Reinforcement It is essential to consistently provide positive reinforcement of expected behaviors. Some ideas: Point/sticker chart: One point/sticker is earned for each expectation met. Then… The child could have a goal and earn a reward for reaching the goal. There could be a “menu” of rewards, some big, some small that a child can “buy” with their points. There could be a Family Goal: “when we earn 50 points as a family we will…” What are some low cost/no cost reinforcers?

Will we have to give stickers and points FOREVER? Well, you will have to do it for a while to establish the routine. But over time you might find that you have to change it up to keep it fresh, or add new expectations for changing situations (learning to play an instrument, adding a pet to the family). Should kids just behave because they’re earning a sticker? Of course not! A point or a sticker is just a token. The real payoff is the positive interaction.

Notes about Positive Reinforcement Verbal praise is the most effective tool for teaching and maintaining positive behavior. Praise should be specific and clearly linked to the behavior you are reinforcing. Say: “I like how you are picking up your toys”, instead of, “Great job.” Say: “You must feel proud of your report card”, instead of, “I am so proud of your report card.” Say: “Thanks for being responsible and putting away your bike”, instead of “I LOVE you when you pick up your bike.” Say: “Great job following directions at the grocery store today.” Don’t add: “Why can’t you do that every time?!”

Step 4 – Consequences at Home When problem behavior occurs it is important to: Remain calm. Remind your child of the expectation. Re-teach/model and have your child practice the expected behavior. Use consequences appropriately. Decide ahead of time what consequences there will be for problem behaviors.

More about consequences… Give the minimum amount of attention required to the misbehavior. Save talking for when they’re listening. Use a consequence that is age appropriate and related to the misbehavior. Related: left your bike out, lose your bike privileges for tomorrow. Not related: left your bike out, no dessert.

Will this really work? The good news: promoting positive behaviors in the home using PBIS principles is proven to make a positive difference in 80% of families. The bad news (kind of): 1.Nothing works for everyone 2.You have to work at it and stay with it! The difference: YOU will feel more positive when you focus on what is going right. Your kids will respond to that positive change in YOU and give you more reasons to feel positive

Parent Resources More information on PBIS a.us/district/AcademicAffairs/PBIS/defa ult.aspxhttp://internet.savannah.chatham.k12.g a.us/district/AcademicAffairs/PBIS/defa ult.aspx