Positive TeachingTechniques

Helpful techniques for teaching children new skills.

Special Children

Children with special needs are exactly that. Special. They learn and perceive the world in different ways than an “average” child.

A teaching style used one day, may not work the next day.

Creativity and Positive Techniques will help teach new skills and behaviors, as well as assist in establishing a positive relationship with your consumer.

Try one of the following techniques with your consumer, and see if you notice the difference.

Active Listening

• A technique stating what feelings are being expressed, repeating and/or paraphrasing what was said.

• Asking questions to obtain facts, and/or simply paying attention and acknowledging the person.

Active ListeningExample

• When a child is exhibiting poor behavior, try to understand why they are upset before reacting.

• Repeat back to them “You’re upset that the TV was turned off?”

• Acknowledge their feelings. • Ask questions “Why does this make you

upset? Do you need more time to finish your show next time?”

Chaining

A technique that breaks a task into smaller steps where each step acts as a prompt for the next step.

ChainingExample

To teach a skill, like getting ready for school. Break it up into smaller tasks. • Wake up• Use restroom• Wash Hands• Brush Teeth• Get Dressed• Eat Breakfast• Get backpack ready

Once first task is mastered, add on the second one. Once mastered, add on third, etc.

Chaining will take time, but it can be very effective.

Cues and Prompts

Signals to engage in behaviorThe signal provided by caregivers can include:• Gestures • Visual Cues • Verbal Cues• Verbal Instructions• Auditory Cues• Physical Guidance• Tactile Cues

Cues and PromptsExample

Instead of having to repeat “lower your voice”, try having an established gesture, that means “lower your volume”.

Differential Reinforcement

Planned reinforcement of specific desirable behaviors, while not reinforcing other behaviors.

Giving planned reinforcement for positive behaviors

– Giving a high five for helping put dishes away

Differential Reinforcement

Example

Minimizing reinforcement for undesired behaviors

– Don’t give reactions to undesired behaviors, it supports the idea that they’ll get attention for doing those things

Discrimination Training

Teaching a person to behave differently based upon the situation and environment.

Vs

Discrimination TrainingExample

Taking the child to the library and a park and showing them how to behave appropriately in each setting. • It’s ok to run and play at the park• At the library, we need to whisper and walk

slower than at the park

Environmental Manipulation

Creating environments that will make it more likely that the person will succeed.

Environmental Manipulation Example

A messy environment can make it hard to concentrate, learn, or have a calm demeanor. Try to avoid:• Clutter• Loud noises• Other people• Pets• Electronics• Not enough space

Fading of Cues and Prompts

Gradually reducing or withdrawing the amount of assistance given to an individual

Fading Cues and Prompts Example

Start with complete assistance, and gradually give less and less.

• Complete assistance- Tying their shoes• Verbal instructions- Telling them how to

tie• Verbal cues- Giving clues “Bunny Ears”

• Gestures-• Reminders- “Don’t forget to pull

tight”• Independence!- GREAT JOB!

Generalization Training

• A series of strategies to teach the person to display the behavior in all circumstances or situations where the behavior would normally or naturally occur.

Generalization Training Example

At home, we wash our hands before we eat, before we prepare a meal, after the restroom, and whenever they are dirty.

We teach this principle at home. When we go out to a restaurant, the same principles apply. We still need to wash our hands before we eat.

The same principle can be used in more than one situation.

Graduated Guidance

A technique that starts with the guidance necessary to support or assist the person in completing a task and gradually provides less assistance as the person demonstrates greater competence.

AssistanceIndependence

Graduated Guidance Example

A child has demonstrated that they can wash their own hair in the bath.

If they get in the bath, and forget what to do with the shampoo bottle, instead of doing it for them, help them along until they remember how to do it themselves. This could include hand-over-hand, verbal cues, or gestures.

Applying these positive teaching techniques:Active Listening

Chaining

Cues/Prompts

Differential Reinforcement

Discrimination Training

Environmental Manipulation

Fading of Cues/Prompts

Generalization Training

Graduated Guidance

Will help create a positive learning environment for both you and your consumer.

Positive Teaching Techniques