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