PBIS at HOME:Continuing a Positive Behavior
Program at the End of the School Day
Carrie Frost, LCSW-RJennifer Arroyo, M. Ed.
PBIS is a system of supports that include proactive strategies for defining,
teaching, and supporting appropriate student
behaviors to create positive school environments. Instead
of using a patchwork of individual behavioral management plans, a continuum of positive
behavior support for all students within a school is
implemented in areas including the classroom and
non-classroom settings (such as bus, hallways, restrooms).
GAMS GREAT EXPECTATIONS
•BE SAFE
•BE RESPECTFUL
•BE RESPONSIBLE
•BE READY
We Teach Our Students Exactly What These Expectations LOOK LIKE in Our Classrooms and in Our
Common Areas (ie. Hallways, Cafeteria, Bus, Bathrooms, Playground, etc.) So That Every Student
Learns the Same Skills.
•Modeling
•Role Playing
•Teaching and Re-Teaching
•Asking Questions
This Year, PBIS at GAMS is Focusing On Behaviors in Common Areas
Students will be especially focused on learning and practicing positive behaviors
when they leave the classroom.
We Praise and Reward
Students When We See Them Using What They
Have Learned!
Teachers and Staff “Catch” students demonstrating positive
behaviors, and then they are given a “Gotcha” ticket. These
tickets are placed in a classroom jar. Each time a
classroom receives 100 tickets, the class receives a special privilege. In this way, the
whole class encourages each other and works together to
show positive behavior.
Each quarter, students that have followed the Expectations (no bus or school write-ups) will
also participate in special school-wide celebrations.
PBIS is a Positive Program and DOES NOT
Replace or Connect With Discipline!
PBIS encourages positive behaviors, so that you confront negative behaviors less often.
In PBIS, you can only EARN privileges; they CANNOT be taken away after they are earned!
In Other Words, PBIS and Discipline are Separate!
When you practice a Positive Behavioral Program at Home, you accomplish two things: You support what your child
is learning at school, and you create better behaviors
outside of school.
PBIS at HomeIN FIVE EASY STEPS…
• LEARN THE EXPECTATIONS
• USE THE LANGUAGE
• BE A “SUPERMODEL”!
• MAKE IT A REWARDING EXPERIENCE
• COMMUNICATION IS KEY!
LEARN THE EXPECTATIONS
Think about what it means to be SAFE, RESPECTFUL,
RESPONSIBLE, and READY (prepared) in your home.
Focus on behaviors that you can SEE and your child can
easily understand (for example, being safe in the kitchen might mean keeping your hands away
from the stove; being responsible might mean
cleaning up after dinner). Include your child in this
activity and make them think! Write down what you have
decided on a poster for your home.
A SAMPLE POSTER…SAFE RESPECTFUL RESPONSIBLE READY
KITCHEN •CALM BODY•HANDS TO SELF•PARENT PRESENT
•TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED•SHARE
•CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF•HELP MOM WITH CHORES
•WASH HANDS BEFORE EATING
BATHROOM •WASH HANDS •EVERYONE GETS A TURN•PRIVACY
•BRUSH YOUR TEETH 2X/DAY•CLEAN UP SINK
•BE IN THE SHOWER AT YOUR TIME EACH DAY
BEDROOM •CALM BODY ON BED
•KEEP VOICES DOWN•EVERYONE GETS SOME PRIVACY
•PUT TOYS AWAY AND MAKE BED EACH DAY
•READY FOR BED AT 8PM
***BE POSITIVE***
Positive Wording (No “No’s”!)
“Don’t Run”
WALK
“No Hitting”
HANDS TO YOURSELF
“Stop jumping around”
KEEP YOUR BODY CALM
USE THE LANGUAGE
USE THE LANGUAGE
Think about the words you use when you are trying to teach one of your expectations at home, and replace those words with the Expectations. For example, if your child is throwing a ball inside the house, instead of saying “Don’t throw the ball in the house”, ask them, “Are you being SAFE?”.
Ask, “Why not?”-the purpose of PBIS is to get children to THINK about their behavior and to PROBLEM SOLVE. Follow up by asking “Where is a SAFE place to throw the ball?”. PBIS language is SIMPLE, but it takes PRACTICE to use it every day.
BE A “SUPERMODEL”
Our children learn behavioral skills from us! Demonstrate for your child what you would like to see from them. Model what
positive behavior looks like, and even what it doesn’t look like! Put on “skits”
or “plays” at home-don’t be afraid to look silly or to have fun! The more you practice, the more your child will learn
(and respect) the Expectations!
TEACHING
THE
EXPECTATIONS
THINK SIMPLE FIRST
DON’T WORRY ABOUT TEACHING EVERY BEHAVIOR IN EVERY AREA AT ONCE…
THINK ABOUT AN EXPECTATION (IE. BEING SAFE) OR AN AREA (IE.
BEDTIME) THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON, AND
START WITH THAT
MAKE IT A REWARDING EXPERIENCE
!Positive Behavior is
LEARNED. Children are not intrinsically
motivated to show positive behavior…they learn to do it because of
the reaction they get from us! While children
will learn from positive or negative consequences, they are more motivated
and create lifetime motivation (not just when
we are around) when consequences are
positive.
Creating a Reward System That’s Easy for Everyone
• Talk with your child about things that they like to do and things they enjoy and create a list. Remember, a special privilege doesn’t have to cost a thing; it could mean extra time together, a trip to the park, a movie at home, a late bedtime, or a trip to the library. The thing most children want is time with you!
• Create a daily way to keep track of the positive behavior you are focusing on…younger children tend to like stickers or smiley faces on a chart, and older kids might like a “Responsibility Chart” that they can check off themselves. Younger children need more reinforcement, so you might have to check in with them more often during the day.
• Create the ground rules about how a privilege will be earned and when the child will receive it (ie. If the child earns a late bedtime, this may have to be “cashed in” on weekends only) and discuss it with your child in advance so everyone is clear on the rules.
• Remember, the privilege a child earns for the behavior you choose is separate from discipline…if a child earns a privilege for going to bed on time each day, he/she will still earn it even if they have misbehaved in another way…you discipline the other behavior!
MY BEDTIME CHECKLIST
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
I Was Responsible! I Brushed My Teeth!
I Was Ready! Put on my Pajamas!
I was Ready and Respectful! I Went to Bed on Time by
Myself!
My Responsibility Chart
Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri
Expected BehaviorsBrushing Teeth
Getting Your Own Breakfast
Homework
Making Bed
Put Laundry in Hamper
Room Clean
Shower
One Check= One Point TOTAL: _____
45 Points= Privilege
The Most Important Thing is
Good Communication
•Talk regularly with your child about what they are learning about PBIS
•Read about PBIS in our School Handbook or Hootin Newton
•Talk to your child’s teacher about how to support your child’s PBIS program.
•Use the PBIS language with your child as often as you can and THINK POSITIVE!
•Volunteer for upcoming PBIS events
Even if a Positive Behavior Program is Not for You…..
Your Child’s Success Begins With You!
For More Information,
Visit www.pbis.org