Try this…
- Recognize behaviors as a form of communication: Child bites-he is frustrated but does not have the language to tell you
- Praise positive behaviors: “I love how you are sitting in your chair with your feet on the floor”
- Be direct and specific: “Put your feet on the floor”
- Ignore unwanted behavior (when possible)
- Clearly state expectations before behavior occurs: “When we are in the hallway I want you to walk”
- Provide choices and allow child to feel in control: “Would you like to read a book first or practice your sounds?”
- Follow through with what you say: “If you throw the cards on the floor again, you will not get to take a turn” *child throws cards on the floor* You can pick up the cards instead of taking a turn
- Make a statement: “Say your word 3 times”
- Use natural consequences: “You decided to throw all the cards on the floor, now you have to pick them up instead of taking a turn playing the game.”
- Acknowledge how the child is feeling/reduce demand – “Say ____ 5 times” *child throws cards on the floor* “I see that you are frustrated and I know it is hard work practicing your sounds. After you pick up the cards lets say our word 2 times instead of 5.
Instead of…
- Believing a child is just poorly behaved: *Child bites- results in thinking that the parents do not know how to discipline their child
- Punishing negative behaviors: “Don’t put your feet on the table”
- Using vague statements: “Be good” or “don’t do that”
- Focusing on negative behavior and drawing attention to it
- Waiting for behavior to occur, then stating expectation: *child running in the hallway “Walk!”
- Not allowing child to have any input or control: “We are going to read a book and then work on our sounds” then child replies with “No! I don’t want to read a book!”
- Providing empty consequences: Telling the child you are going to skip their turn or take something away if a behavior continues and not actually doing it
- Asking a question: “Are you ready to say your word?” and then the child responds with “no”
- Providing consequences that do not match the behavior: “You threw the cards on the floor, so you do not get a sticker today”
- Eliminate the task: “You threw all the cards on the floor so you can go sit in time out” (child gets out of completing task)

✔️ Page 1: color-coded chart with step-by-step strategies, tips, and wording suggestions
✔️ Page 2: information about positive reinforcement techniques with detailed explanations, examples, and specific statements parents can use to reinforce desired behavior