Blog Layout
Get Your Child Back on Track With an Effective Behavior Plan
sites • October 18, 2021
Addressing problem behavior can help your child get back on track in learning and development. Find out what a behavior plan is and what it includes.
Raising children can be difficult at many stages of their lives. You can have a hyperactive toddler, an emotional preteen, or a spiteful teenager.
Each stage of childhood development comes with its challenges.
When kids exhibit behavioral issues, it might be tempting to react or verbally lash out at your child. However, telling your kids that they "are bad" can have
damaging psychological effects. Kids internalize this message and it can lead to mental health issues.
If your child is acting out, you might want to consider a behavior plan. This is a way to deal with your child's behavior issues and take steps towards improvement.
Keep reading to learn more about a behavior intervention plan and how it can be beneficial for your child.
What Is a Behavioral Intervention Plan?
A behavioral intervention plan or a BIP is a plan that is created for a child who displays behavioral issues in the classroom. The goal of this plan is to praise and reward good behavior while deterring negative behavior patterns.
It analyzes the problematic behaviors, uncovers the source of misbehavior, and creates a strategy for positive behavior.
The plan involves the teachers, students, parents, and behavioral specialists. This ensures that everyone is clear about the expectations are and what the steps of the plan are. Those involved in rearing the child's behavior must stay consistent across the board.
It is also common to make changes to the plan for best results.
Who Should Get a Behavior Plan?
Children of all ages are prone to misbehaving in the classroom. This does not mean that they need a plan. A behavior support plan is for those with severe behavioral issues that repeat over time and are disruptive in the learning environment.
It is for those children whose education is being hindered because of problematic behaviors.
Here are some of the behaviors that may warrant a behavior plan:
The student is unresponsive to the teacher
The student throws tantrums
The student leaves supervision without permission
The student consistently bullies other students
The student verbally threatens other students or the teacher
The student is physically abusive towards the teacher or other students
These are some of the behaviors that can lead to a behavioral intervention plan. These behaviors disrupt the learning process and create an uncomfortable classroom setting.
How a Behavior Plan Can Be Beneficial
A behavior plan for students can have a positive impact on the entire classroom environment. It makes it easier for the teacher to teach and creates a conducive learning environment for other students.
Most importantly, it helps to prevent problem behaviors, rather than react to them. It gives the student rules and responsibility.
Here are some of the benefits of a positive behavior support plan:
It is proactive rather than reactive
It promotes responsibility
It creates predictable behavior patterns
It helps strengthen the student-teacher relationship
This plan is used every day in the classroom environment. It is also used by parents and caregivers to ensure that the behavior reinforcement is implemented by all authorities in the child's life.
How to Make a Behavior Plan
Making a behavior plan takes several steps and a strong support system of caregivers. With the right plan, the student will be able to exhibit the desired behavior and become more empowered.
Observe and Collect Perceptions of Problematic Behavior
Before implementing a plan, it is necessary to observe and understand what are the problematic behaviors.
You can start by observing the behavior, collecting the information, and reflecting on the implications of the behavior.
When you are making your observation, ask yourself the following questions:
Why do I think this behavior is problematic?
Why do I believe that this behavior is a hindrance to learning?
Why do I think the child is displaying this type of behavior?
How do other parents or teachers perceive this behavior?
This step is a way to start analyzing the behavior. Whether you are a parent or teacher, you will want the right team of
educational and behavioral specialists to begin making an action plan.
Consider the Source of Behaviour Issues
There are many reasons that children act out at school and home.
Children going through difficulties at home are prone to acting out. If they've lost a family member, if they've recently moved, or if their parents are separating. All of these can cause emotional distress.
Some children going through these lifestyle changes are unable to
manage their emotions.
They cannot communicate what is upsetting them and so they are more likely to act out. Low self-esteem and parental neglect can also lead to behavioral issues.
Involve the Child
Involving a child in their behavioral plan can be empowering in many ways. It also takes into consideration that each child is different and they will need a different type of action plan.
Getting a child involved in their plan by asking what they think about their behavior. It helps to give the child a voice and consider their perspective.
This will help you tailor a plan to their specific needs and ensure that they understand what is expected of them.
Create a List of Rules
For all students, there are classroom rules that everyone abides by. You can talk to your classroom to ensure that everyone understands the rules. This acts as a classroom behavior plan that ensures that one student doesn't feel like they're singled out.
It is effective to have the class get involved in making the rules. Ask your students what they think is the best way to make their learning experience the most productive. Have the class be involved in making a shortlist of rules that every student will adhere to.
Explain the Consequences
All rules should have consequences if they are broken. This is one of the most important steps when designing a behavior management plan.
If there are no consequences to problematic behavior, the child has no reason to follow the rules.
Ensure that the consequences are understood by everyone that is involved in the behavior plan. The consequences must also be tailored to the rule that is broken. The consequence for not finishing homework will be different than the consequence for disrupting the classroom.
Likewise, you can create a reward and praise system for exhibiting positive behaviors. These are positive consequences of positive behaviors.
Recognizing the child's efforts also helps to increase their motivation and boost their self-esteem.
Getting Back on Track with a Behavior Plan
Dealing with problematic behavior can be overwhelming for both teachers and students. Creating a comprehensive behavior plan can help a child to get back on track at school and at home. With the right steps and a supportive team, your child can become more positive in the classroom and take responsibility for their behavior in a healthy way.
If you are interested in educational and behavioral services,
book a free consultation with Aliada Educational Advocacy today!
Related services are necessary to make sure students can participate in programs and make progress.
Are you frustrated after failing to reach and teach children with ADHD after trying every teaching technique you can think of? It can be difficult to know how to adapt your teaching style to help children with ADHD to have the best possible learning experience. Thankfully there are several strategies that you can make use of to help all children to have the best possible education. If you're wondering how to get better at teaching children with ADHD, read on and we'll tell you what you need to know. Understanding How Children With ADHD Learn the Best One of the first things to recognize about youth who have ADHD is that they seek novelty. Their attention naturally orients towards high-interest kinds of activities. This is why they thrive in learning situations where the curriculum is engaging and active. In order to offer children this opportunity, consider embracing activities that involve physical movement and motor activity. For example, if you are teaching children with ADHD about reading street signs, you should invite the child to be active in order to practice obeying what the signs say. You should also try to give the child options to choose from. By letting them have options, they have more freedom to be curious. This is important because it gives them chance to lean into their strengths in order to learn and grow. Children with ADHD struggle in situations where they get bored, such as while they're waiting for a teacher to draw out instructions for an activity on the whiteboard. If they need to wait for their turn to complete a task, they'll need more stimulation than other children will. They also have a need to feel competent at what they're doing. This is why you should make a point of rewarding the child you're working with by offering things like badges, prizes, high fives, and opportunities for leadership. Teaching Children With ADHD by Recognizing Their Social Needs and Challenges Make sure that you make a point to help children with ADHD to sense their relationships with others. Since social interaction is usually their most valued kind of stimulation, it is imperative that you offer kind support and individualized attention. Kids with ADHD also like to see the emotional responses from others. This is why it's common for them to be attracted to kids who are known to be troublemakers. Many teachers often don't realize that their angry and aggressive responses to children with ADHD who are causing trouble only serve to reinforce the behavior that the teachers are trying to stop. Instead, it's a better idea to be calm and unemotional when trying to redirect a child who has ADHD. Top Strategies Teaching Strategies for Children Who Have ADHD There are many different strategies for children with ADHD that can support them to have the best possible learning experience. Here are several of the most important things that you can do to help them. Match Their Skill Level You should first make sure that you're assigning schoolwork that matches a students' skill level. The reason for this is that they will usually want to avoid classwork that is too difficult to do or that is too tedious for them. Give Many Options You should also give the children as many options as you can. For example, you could offer them a list of ten activity choices for practicing math equations. You might consider using flashcards, writing on the whiteboard, or on their digital device. Visual Reminders Are Important Another of the great strategies for children with ADHD is to provide visual guidance. If you're going to explain a skill such as telling the time, do this by using an overhead projector or a whiteboard in order to explain the activity's instructions. Present Important Concepts in New Ways You could also start finding engaging ways to display important ideas that you want children to work with. One way to do this is by writing these concepts onto bright posterboard which you hang up around the classroom. Encourage Group Participation When you encourage your class to participate as a group, you help children with ADHD to be more engaged in what they're doing. You can do this by requesting students to write responses to exercises on a dry erase board, having students speak responses to questions in unison, and encouraging your class to raise their hands if they agree with something that you say. Go Out of Your Way to Offer Accommodations for Children With ADHD There are many children who will need special accommodations in order to help them to learn in the best way possible. Some of these accommodations could be more complex. Other types of accommodations are straightforward enough that schools for children with ADHD can easily offer them. This might include things like keeping an eye on a student's work or creating a plan to assure that they don't fall behind in class. You should also try giving students more time on the tests they're taking, offering shorter assignments, and breaking longer assignments into smaller segments. There Are Many Easy Ways to Support Children With ADHD Once you know how to start teaching children with ADHD, it's easy and fun for you to do. Many teachers don't understand the unique needs that children with ADHD have. Once they recognize their unique needs, it's much easier to create situations where all of their students can thrive. It's important to recognize that you're not alone in teaching children with ADHD. This is why we offer various services that are tailored for each person who we work with. If you want to support children with ADHD who you work with in the best possible way, please visit our services page in order to find out how we can help you.
The unique parenting journey of a special needs child is a path that is often difficult to navigate. It's a path that may involve different treatments and interventions. It's not what you expected. You listen to the specialists, read all the books, and learn to understand your special needs child. Yet, you may still second-guess the important role that you play in your child's special needs education. You shouldn't. You are your child's expert and greatest supporter. As the parent, you have the most complete understanding of your child's physical, emotional, and social development. Your family dynamic is unique. This dynamic is the continuity in your child's life. Sharing family information may give insight into what is needed in the classroom environment. Involvement in your child's special needs education will make a positive difference in the overall learning experience. So how do you get involved? Learning the educational options available and choosing the best approach to meet your child's education is a place to start. Special Needs Education Special Education is a broad term that refers to services that can be provided for your child. This approach to instruction should address the specific needs of your child's disability. The public school system in your area will determine access and opportunities for your child. Educational standards are also designated by your public school system. Adaptations for your child's physical or movement needs will be given as deemed necessary. This does not mean that your child will be in a special education or a resource room all day. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children who receive special education services should be in the least restrictive environment. Your child should be learning in the same classroom as other children. This will be made accessible with the appropriate accommodations. Individualized Education Plan (IEP) The Individualized Education Plan is covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Teachers, parents, administrators, and other school personnel work as a team to create an educational program. This program is developed to meet the individual needs of the child. The IEP evaluates a child's current educational performance. This will take a look at the special needs of the child, how those needs affect involvement in the classroom, and learning outcomes. The IEP includes reasonable annual goals for the child broken down into short-term objectives. These benchmarks tackle physical, behavioral, or social needs, as well as academics. Any supplemental services or classroom modifications needed to assist the child will also be listed on the IEP. Parental involvement is required at the annual IEP meeting, which can be intimidating. But remember, you are the most important member of your child's educational team. You know your child best. Take the opportunity to ask questions and give input to customize a learning experience that fits your child. The 504 The 504 plan was established in 1973 and is a section of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act. It provides accommodations for students with physical or mental impairments within a regular classroom setting. When a student is not eligible for special education services or an IEP, a 504 plan will provide the modifications for academic success. Like the IEP, parents are part of the 504 team, and accommodations are reviewed annually. With a 504 , a parent can call for a plan review at any time to evaluate academic concerns or request other appropriate changes. Your involvement in the process will assist in customizing your child's educational experience. This can ensure your child's academic and social success. Parent as Educational Partner There is no one more invested in your child's success than you, the parent. You understand your child's specific requirements to function happily in life. Embrace your role as an educational partner and become a proactive parent. Through interactions and observations of your child, you can share changes or discoveries with the education team. By sharing this information, you offer the educators insight into behaviors that may not be observed in the classroom. Your continued involvement as a parent will increase your child's chance for personal and academic success. Development The role of parents in special needs education is to assist in helping your child's development. You understand there are many challenges ahead, but there will also be many triumphs. The developmental path may not be typical, but you want your special needs child to have the support necessary to meet as many milestones as possible. Communicate with your education team. Let the teachers know you are invested in supporting classroom efforts at home. Partnering with your child's teachers will reinforce the learning efforts on both sides. You understand that your child's development may not be a straight line. Know that each step achieved by your child is an extraordinary success. Advocate All that you do for your child comes from a place of love and caring. Advocating for your child requires research and explaining the disability. You will need to have many conversations with each professional involved in your child's life. This can be exhausting, yet you soldier on. As the parent, you believe in your child and know you must act on their behalf. As an advocate, your parental involvement in special needs education will give the teacher a better understanding of your child. Through advocacy, you will establish the foundation for future conversations. This will build a cooperative relationship that benefits your child and helps them grow. You Are Not Alone As a parent, understanding the pathway of a special needs education for your child is difficult. Yours is not a typical road of parenting. You may worry and second-guess decisions. There may be many potholes along the way, making you feel unsure and discouraged. You are not alone. Aliada Educational Advocacy, My Learning Ally , offers support and consultation for parents learning to navigate the educational system for a child with special needs. Experienced consultants are available to listen to your concerns and work with you to find the best solutions for your child. Reach out to us . We are here to help.
