Social Emotional Development: Targeted Interventions and Supports
Using an incentive system for individual children
Another option is that a teacher could design an incentive system for a particular child. For example, a child who has difficulty keeping his hands to himself, the child could get a smiley face each time he keeps his hands to himself, and after receiving 2 smiley faces that day, the child is allowed to help the teacher during circle time.
Video 7.14: Using an incentive system with Sammy
A teacher uses an incentive system with a child who needs some additional behavior support (running time: 1 min. 59 sec.).
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Teacher:
Ms. Latesha said… that during mealtime… you used good manners. Is that right?
Child:
Yeah.
Teacher:
And what else? What else? What did you do at the table?
Child:
Used my spoon.
Teacher:
Hmm?
Child:
Be good.
Teacher:
Yup. Well you were a good listener. Did you keep your feet on the floor?
Child:
Yes.
Teacher:
Yes. So what does that mean?
Child:
I get the H.
Teacher:
You get your H that’s right. Ok, you want to stick that on?
Child:
Yeah.
Teacher:
There’s your H. And what else did you do today?
Child:
I did good job at.
Teacher:
You did a good job at?
Child:
Activity time.
Teacher:
Activity time. So what does that mean?
Child:
I earned an A.
Teacher:
You earned an A. So now what are you going to get to do?
Child:
A joke.
Teacher:
You want to do your joke? Should we go pick one?
Child:
Yeah.
Teacher:
So we can do it before we go outside.
Child:
Hotdog.
Teacher:
You want to do a hotdog joke? Or is that then end? Did you just tell me the punchline? (laughs)
You want to go pick your joke on the computer?
Child:
Yeah.
Teacher:
First thing we’re going to do is, Sammy is going to come on up here to the front. Everyone have your listening, hands up, everyone have your listening ears on? Check and make sure. Will you. Alright Sammy’s got a joke that he’s going to tell us.
Child:
Can you tell me?
Teacher:
Yup. (whispers in child’s ear) Alright.
Child:
What kind of clothes do you wear when it rains?
Teacher:
You guys ready? What kind of clothes do you wear when it rains?
Child:
Thunderpants!
Teacher:
Thunderpants! Yay!