PBIS at home - week 2

Contact me at: arreid@seattleschools.org or (206) 252-1535

In last week’s newsletter, I started sharing tips from the Center on PBIS on how to use some common PBIS practices at home to help support children and reduce disruptive behavior which may be particularly helpful when normal routines have been disrupted.

Last week’s tips focused on setting routines and home expectations. Today’s tips focus on teaching, reminding and rewarding expected behaviors with positive feedback. Remember to give positive attention to the behaviors you want to see more of while ignoring or giving brief attention (reteaching) to behaviors you want to discourage. I am including the information sheets from last week in case you missed them. Scroll to the last page for the new information.

In addition to the information from the Center on PBIS, I wanted to share a quick list of 8 things you can start doing today to support the emotional well-being of your children and family during this incredibly challenging time. You may already be doing many of these. If not, try implementing a few from this list over the next week.

• Provide structure and routines and stick to them.

• Eat at least one meal as a family every day with no devices at the table – check in (maybe with a high and low from everyone’s day).

• Limit exposure to media about current events. Answer questions that come up honestly, but only give as much information as children are asking for.

• Exercise; get outside; move.

• Connect with others in a safe way through Zoom, phone calls, etc.

• Encourage kids to help others (family members, neighbors, friends, etc.) – builds self-worth and connections.

• Maintain good sleep habits. (Kids need 8-10 hours per night.)

• Stay positive and future focused. (It’s okay and healthy to express sadness or frustration but end on a positive, hopeful note.)