Lewistown Behavior Weekly!
Behavior at a Glance...Issue 3
Kate Sword
Email: katelyn.sword@fcps.org
Phone: 240-236-3746
Contact Information & Daily Office Hours
John Witmer, School Therapist --- Office Hours 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. --- (240)-236-3744
Julie Ferguson, School Therapist --- Office Hours 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. --- (240)-236-3743
- Kate Sword, Behavioral Support Specialist --- Office Hours 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. --- (240)-236-3746
Behavior Tip of The Week
Goal Setting
4 Key Steps:
1. Select a Goal. Decide and clearly define exactly what it is that you want to achieve. Make your goal a SMART goal.
- Specific. "I want to get a B or above in all of my classes" vs. "I want to get good grades"
- Measurable. "I will score 4 goals this soccer season" vs. "I will be the best player on my team"
- Attainable. "I will follow directions the first time I am asked" vs. "I will be a perfect listener and remember everything my mom tells me today"
- Relevant. Something your child cares about. "I will read one chapter each night out of my favorite book" vs. "I will memorize the definitions to all of my spelling words"
- Time-based. "I will practice for 30 min everyday" vs. "I will practice as much as I can"
2. Define your motivation. Why do you want to achieve your goal? Personally, I like to connect this step with a feeling word. How do I envision myself feeling when I accomplish my goal? Proud, excited, confident, joyful, grateful, at peace, etc. For kids, it could also be in the form of a reinforcer---extra electronic time, playing outside with my friends, watching my favorite movie, staying up an extra hour late, etc.
3. Break the goal down. Set smaller "mini" goals that build up to the larger, "end" goal. Think of this step as dividing your goal into little bite-size chunks. If my end goal is to lose 10 lbs by the end of quarantine, then some sample "mini" goals would be---keep a food journal each day, exercise each day for 30 min, drink a cup of hot tea each night after dinner, check-in with my friend every evening to keep myself accountable, etc.
4. Write it down. See your goal regularly, each and every day. Visualize yourself accomplishing your goal. Write it on a post-it note and hang it in your room, bathroom mirror, above your work area, etc. This will serve as a frequent reminder of what you are working towards and help to keep it in the forefront of your mind.
Reference: Ackerman, C.E. (2020, October 4). "Goal Setting for Students, Kids, & Teens." Positive Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/goal-setting-students-kids/
Join me for a 7 min Yoga & Breath Sequence!
Sensory Corner
*** DIY sensory activities that you can do at home---incorporate sensory time into your child's day to help them explore new things, activate their senses, get moving, regulate emotions, and disconnect from "screen time"! ***
Indoor/Rainy Day Movement Ideas!
- Dance Party! Pump up the jams and dance around the house
- Build a Fort. Blankets, pillows, chairs, bed sheets, etc.----do this at night and let your children use flashlights as they crawl in and out/read a book/watch a movie
- Charades. Animals, dance moves, act out short phrases, etc.
- Obstacle Course! Use cones, chairs, pillows, boxes, jump rope, etc.
- Balloon Fun. Blow up balloons and create a volleyball, tennis, or hockey game
- Bean Bag or Pillow Toss. Set up a safe area in your home, grab small pillows or objects, and plastic tote bins/boxes/bucket---let your child play!
- Scavenger Hunt. Set up and hide a bunch of "clues"---lead your child on a hunt throughout the house and end with a fun prize or activity
Hallway Laser Maze!
- Streamers or Crepe Paper
- Masking Tape (or wall safe alternative tape)
Instructions:
- Start the streamer at one end of the hallway and tape to wall
- "Zig Zag" and tape the streamer throughout the entire length of the hallway (taping up high, and taping down low, creating diagonal lines to form your "maze")
- Once you've finished, secure the end with one final piece of tape
- Let your children crawl under and over the "laser" streamers---encourage them to move creatively!