Welcome to the Behavior Team's tips & tricks section of our monthly newsletter!
January 2025 - Setting Goals for Success
|
While goals can be set at any time, as the New Year begins, people make resolutions to set their year up for success and make positive change in their lives. This is the perfect time to include children in this process. It's important for children to see adults trying to make those positive changes in their lives when that is often an expectation of them from those same adults. How often are we setting goals and expectations without getting input from the child themselves? No matter the age, communication style, strengths, or weaknesses, getting children involved makes it more meaningful for them, and it becomes more intrinsically motivating vs extrinsically, which creates lasting change and higher self-esteem.
It doesn’t have to be overwhelming; just one or two simple goals that can have your child feel success throughout the year can change their self views and help them throughout all aspects of their daily lives. |
|
Here are a few simple ways that, as a family, you can set up goals/resolutions so everyone is striving to better themselves:
Happy New Year and Happy Goal Setting!
-Anthony Hellman, BCBA at Celebrate the Children
- Putting the resolutions to paper, with words or pictures (or both!) to have a visual to help remind & hold everyone accountable- maybe even adding a chart to track for each family member.
- Keep goals simple & attainable! These should be short term (year long) to be able to see & feel success.
- Set up a goal (or goals) to do as a family: big family outings once a month, a time set aside weekly to tidy up as a family, cooking together once a week, etc. Tailor it to your family.
- Keep it positive! Talk about how if a mistake is made, getting back on the right track is always an option! And as an adult, own up to your mistakes! We are all human!
- Celebrate any & all success! Big or little, we all deserve to be celebrated for making positive change!
Happy New Year and Happy Goal Setting!
-Anthony Hellman, BCBA at Celebrate the Children
December 2024 - All Behavior is Communication
|
Photos by Shannon Kuralti.
|
Every action a child takes is a form of communication, especially when verbal skills may be limited or still developing. By recognizing and validating these attempts, we open the door to more meaningful interactions and connections.
Whether it’s through vocal speech, gestures, writing on a whiteboard, or using an AAC device, all forms of communication have value. Encouraging functional communication—using these tools to express needs and desires—helps children develop the skills they need to engage more effectively with the world around them. Let’s support our children by observing, responding to, and celebrating every effort they make to communicate. Together, we can empower them to share their voices, in whatever form that may take. - Vanessa Graves Foster, High School and Y.A.P. Vice-Principal at Celebrate the Children |
November 2024 - Using Role Play and Pretend Play to Prepare for Special Outings
When going to new stores or doing a special activity that is new to your child, it is important to practice the experience first in a smaller, controlled setting. By having children role play the experience, they are more likely to know what to expect. Preparing your child by simulating certain aspects of your trip will help them be confident, flexible, and understanding of the expectations. In the role play, your child will have some control over the situation which will help ease any anxiety leading into the event. Here are some fun examples of role playing you can do with your child:
1. Librarian - Read aloud story time, scan library cards, or organize books.
2. Zookeeper - Turn over empty laundry baskets and put stuffed animals underneath. Practice visiting each animal. Practice feeding or giving water to the animals.
3. Hair salon/barber - Use a mirror with dolls or stuffed animals, spray bottle of water, brushing hair.
-Anthony Hellman, BCBA at Celebrate the Children
When going to new stores or doing a special activity that is new to your child, it is important to practice the experience first in a smaller, controlled setting. By having children role play the experience, they are more likely to know what to expect. Preparing your child by simulating certain aspects of your trip will help them be confident, flexible, and understanding of the expectations. In the role play, your child will have some control over the situation which will help ease any anxiety leading into the event. Here are some fun examples of role playing you can do with your child:
1. Librarian - Read aloud story time, scan library cards, or organize books.
2. Zookeeper - Turn over empty laundry baskets and put stuffed animals underneath. Practice visiting each animal. Practice feeding or giving water to the animals.
3. Hair salon/barber - Use a mirror with dolls or stuffed animals, spray bottle of water, brushing hair.
-Anthony Hellman, BCBA at Celebrate the Children
October 2024 - Reframing Language
|
|
Source: Vanderbilt University
