Positive Strategies for Challenging Behavior

September

2009

Pardeice Powell McGoyCornell University Cooperative Extension of New York City

ACT for Youth Center of Excellence Cornell University Family Life Development Center

Cornell University Cooperative Extension of New York City

New York State Center for School Safety

University of Rochester Medical Center Div. of Adolescent Medicine

Identifying Misbehavior

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Define the behavior:

Where? Why? When?

Managing one’s own behavior

Social skillfulness

Responsible decision making

Personal and academic achievement

Goal of Effective Management and Discipline

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

The strongest behavior management tool is YOU.

What is the strongest behavior management tool at your disposal?

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

What does a good behavior manager look like?

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Describe a youth worker or teacher you’ve seen with strong behavior management skills.

What do good behavior managers look like?

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Positive leadership Caring relationships Structured environments Active intervention when needed

Positive Leadership

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

High expectations

Project confidence and caring

Good role modeling

Enthusiasm

Tone and body language

Caring Relationships – setting the stage for development

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Belonging

Interests

Positive self-image: Build on strengths

Opportunities for mastery

Positive reinforcement

Caring Relationships - under stress

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Show you care

Lighten up!

Behaviors vs. feelings

Sharing yourself

Structured Environments – setting the stage for development

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Work with young people to establish ground rules

Establish routines

Anticipate

Ease transitions

Structured Environments – setting the stage for development

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Consider incentives

Practice positive outcomes

Structured Environments – under stress

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Non-verbal cues

Consistency

Strategies

Active Intervention

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Pick your battles

Use your presence to discourage negative behavior

Be firm.

Engage in a non-threatening conversation.

Active Intervention

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Remove yourself from an escalating

power struggle

Allow the student space and time

Use consequences strategically

Protect students from harm

Document a referral plan

Thank you!

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

What office is there which involves more responsibility, which

requires more qualifications, and which ought, therefore, to be

more honorable than inspiring youth to learn?

- Harriet Martineau

Resources

Pardeice Powell McGoy 2009 ACT for Youth Center of Excellence www.actforyouth.net

Carol Miller Lieber (2002). Discipline Approaches. http://www.smallschoolsproject.org/PDFS/guided_discipline.pdf

Ramapo for Children (2004). Teachers as Leaders. http://www.ramapotraining.org/html/home.htm

Jutta Dotterweich (2006). Positive Youth Development Resource Manual:

http://www.actforyouth.net/?ydManual

Karthryn Pierno. ReCAPP: Theories & Approaches, Adolescent Development.http://www.etr.org/recapp/index.cfm?fuseaction=pages.TheoriesDetail&PageID=12