Positive Behavior Support at Home

Positive Behavior Support is a nationwide, research based program that schools have adopted to increase positive behaviors in their schools. The goal of PBS is for adults to have a common set of behavioral expectations, simply stated in three to five rules. Within these sets of rules, teachers or parents teach, model, practice, and reinforce the specific behaviors that they are looking for in any environment. Instead of telling kids “don’t run in the hallway”, we say “we walk in the hallway”. We reinforce students with verbal praise, high fives, PRIDE bucks, and “thank you’s” when they show us these behaviors. If we notice that certain students or groups are not following the rules, we restate the expectations and practice the right way of showing the behaviors we want. For minor behaviors, we may say “let’s try this again” or “Show me the right way to …” If students continue to struggle with certain rules, we look more closely at their situation and put interventions into place to support their success in a positive way. Within PBS there is also a place for firm limits and consequences around unsafe or hurtful (disrespectful) behavior towards another child or adult. The most important component of PBS is CONSISTENCY. All adults need to agree on what the expectations are, how to practice and re-teach in a positive way, and how to reinforce as well as consequence.

Why do we have to keep teaching the same behavior?
· Kids don’t just “know” how to behave. It is our job to set the expectations, practice what this looks like, and reinforce them when their doing it. This helps kids internalize behavior, so that it becomes natural over time. If kids are not getting it, we need to figure out why and adjust what we’re doing so that they can get it.

How can I use PBS in my home?
It’s easy!! There are many levels of using PBS in your home.

· A basic level of PBS would be highlighting for your kids what your expectations are before a transition into a new routine or environment. You can determine how often this teaching needs to occur based on your child’s age and what types of behavior they currently display in any situation.

“We’re about to go into the grocery store. Remember, we walk. We ask before taking anything off of the shelf. We use our inside voices.” Praise or thank your kids as you see them showing these behaviors (sporadically or when you have left the store). The amount of times you say this depends on the age of your child and what their behavior looks like in the store.

“It’s almost bedtime. What’s the first thing we need to do? (Ask questions of kids to let them tell you what the expectations are). When we’re all done, then what?” Reinforce kids with your attention as they meet expectations at home.

A more involved way of using PBS would be to set up a structured matrix. Click HERE to see an example.

The following article "Getting Behavior in Shape At Home" by Laura Riffel and Ann Turnbull gives some great tips and ideas for implimenting PBS at home: http://www.come-over.to/FAS/BehaviorAtHome.htm