🌟 Behavioral Focus Areas 🌟

Creative Strategies for Parents to Support Children's Growth

👂 Following Directions

🎯 Target Skill:

Respond the first time when instructions are given.

🎮 Parent Example:

Play "Simon Says" or "Red Light, Green Light" to practice listening.

💡 Visual Tip: Use hand gestures and make eye contact when giving directions

🏠 Home Strategy:

Give one-step instructions with eye contact, then praise when followed.

🧘 Using Coping Skills

🎯 Target Skill:

Use a coping tool when upset (breathing, grounding, calm corner).

🎨 Parent Example:

Decorate a "calm jar" with glitter water to shake when stressed.

✨ Visual Tip: Create a colorful "calm corner" with soft pillows and comfort items

🏠 Home Strategy:

Practice bubble breathing together before bedtime.

🫧 Respecting Personal Space

🎯 Target Skill:

Keep hands and body to self.

🎪 Parent Example:

Use hula hoops or tape on the floor to show "personal space bubbles."

🔵 Visual Tip: Draw imaginary bubbles around people or use colorful tape circles

🏠 Home Strategy:

Reinforce "gentle hands" when playing with siblings or pets.

✋ Raising Hand/Waiting Turn

🎯 Target Skill:

Wait for permission before speaking or acting.

🎲 Parent Example:

Play board games or card games to practice turn-taking.

🎯 Visual Tip: Use a "talking stick" or special object to show whose turn it is

🏠 Home Strategy:

Model raising a hand at the dinner table before speaking.

😤 Managing Frustration

🎯 Target Skill:

Use words or coping instead of acting out.

🌡️ Parent Example:

Create a "feelings thermometer" the child can point to when upset.

📊 Visual Tip: Use emoji faces or color-coded feeling charts on the wall

🏠 Home Strategy:

Teach phrases like "I need a break" or "I feel frustrated."

⏰ Staying on Task

🎯 Target Skill:

Focus on completing assignments with supports.

⏱️ Parent Example:

Use a timer ("Let's work for 5 minutes, then take a short break").

📋 Visual Tip: Use colorful checklists or progress charts with stickers

🏠 Home Strategy:

Break chores into small steps and praise completion.

🗣️ Using Polite Language

🎯 Target Skill:

Use respectful words.

🍽️ Parent Example:

Role-play polite scenarios at home (ordering from a "pretend restaurant").

💎 Visual Tip: Create "magic word" cards with please, thank you, excuse me

🏠 Home Strategy:

Create a "kind words jar" where family members drop notes of kind words used that day.

💪 Self-Confidence / Positive Self-Talk

🎯 Target Skill:

Use affirmations or identify strengths.

🦸 Parent Example:

Make a "Superpowers Poster" with child's strengths.

⭐ Visual Tip: Use mirrors with positive affirmation stickers around the edges

🏠 Home Strategy:

Start mornings with an affirmation: "I can try my best today."

🤝 Problem-Solving with Peers

🎯 Target Skill:

Find solutions instead of escalating conflicts.

🎭 Parent Example:

Role-play scenarios like sharing toys or choosing a game.

🚦 Visual Tip: Use traffic light colors - Red (Stop), Yellow (Think), Green (Go/Try)

🏠 Home Strategy:

Teach problem-solving steps: Stop → Think → Choose → Try.

🎒 Respecting Materials/Property

🎯 Target Skill:

Handle belongings appropriately.

🎵 Parent Example:

Practice cleaning up toys with music as a fun "clean-up game."

🏷️ Visual Tip: Use picture labels on storage bins and shelves

🏠 Home Strategy:

Praise care when putting away books or electronics gently.

🌈 Optional Social-Emotional Focus Areas

😊 Expressing Feelings Appropriately

Parent Example: Use emoji cards to label emotions daily.

👫 Being a Good Friend

Parent Example: Encourage child to practice sharing snacks or toys at home.

⏳ Patience/Waiting

Parent Example: Bake cookies together—practice waiting while they bake.

🎉 Celebrating Small Successes

Parent Example: End the day by sharing one thing the child tried hard at.