Smiley Faces for Behavior Charts Red Try Again Triangle

The often unseen negative effects of behavior charts and a possible alternative plan.

I know from all the clip charts and behavior charts I accept seen on Pinterest that this argument has probably already raised a couple of eyebrows, just I hope you'll hear me out anyway.

A few days ago one of my colleagues, (who is a peachy teacher, wonderful mom, and all around awesome person) sabbatum downward at our team meeting and said, "I want y'all to know that I am never using a behavior color chart again!"

I stopped using those charts years ago and I couldn't have been happier to hear her say that! And, it seems, her reason for saying it was not that dissimilar from my reason for letting those charts become. Her ain sweet first grader had come up dwelling house from school the day before, completely crushed after being put on "reddish"on the color chart. A sweetness boy who wants zero more than to delight his teacher and do the right thing at schoolhouse. I'1000 certain he did something he shouldn't take or tried his teacher'southward patience one too many times, but that child will not walk into that classroom with his head held high tomorrow.

I remembered my own son coming habitation from Kindergarten, day afterwards day, in tears considering he just couldn't seem to stay on 'green'. He wanted so badly to comport. He wanted to please his teachers. He wanted mom and dad to exist proud of him. Only his impulsivity did not allow him to continue himself in bank check for the whole school mean solar day. Every time she moved that prune, he was existence reminded that he wasn't skillful enough for his teacher. That kindergarten year was ane of the hardest years our family has endured. It is utterly heartbreaking to hear your child say things like, "I hate myself. Why can't I exist good? My teacher hates me. I'k non proficient enough." Tears are dropping on the keyboard as I call back those moments.
At present that he is being treated for ADHD, he is much happier at school and doing well, but that color nautical chart just well-nigh destroyed my son.

I began to look at my students through different optics and imagine what they must be feeling.

Some are ADHD similar my piddling guy and are battling their own bodies for control each twenty-four hours, some are coming from homes so broken and troubled it'due south simply astounding, and many are simply neglected and left to exist raised past siblings or television. I really had to terminate and realize that my wishes for their classroom behavior were superceded by their own complicated lives.

This realization led me to discover a few things near color charts, both from using them and seeing them used in my own children's classrooms.

They rail beliefs, but they do not change it.
For kids who are not able to adhere to the cultural expectations of schoolhouse, the nautical chart tin exist absolutely demoralizing. And this seems to be generally boys - hmmm.
The chart makes the supposition, before the child ever crosses the threshold of the classroom door, that he is going to misbehave. Ouch.
Equally much as we try to make that chart seem like a 'reminder' and non a negative thing, information technology is even so embarrassing to many children.
Even kids who always stay on 'green', often experience stress and worry equally they watch some of their classmates repeatedly motility on the color chart.

I know many proponents of the charts say that some kids simply need the reminder to become back on rail. They run across their prune moved and they want to go dorsum on green. The children know the nautical chart is not a negative thing - it's only a way to encourage them to practise the correct thing. They need consequences for negative behavior. And the newer charts reward positive behavior. It works for me and my kids similar information technology.
I hear and sympathize all of these beliefs - some of them are very valid. I held them, too.

Merely, I just inquire you to place yourself in that little person's shoes, looking up at the teacher they desire to impress (yes, even the ill-behaved, defiant, disrespectful ones:) and imagine how they see themselves. How they feel. What volition they take away from the experience?

I but have to say that after using the charts, and then letting them become and doing something different, I can't buy into my old color chart anymore. Kids do need reminders to stay on track. They do need consequences for negative behavior, and nosotros should reward positive behavior. Just not by causing stress, worry, and shame. I had to become a mommy and feel my own kid'due south hurting to see that.

So, the next logical question is "If I don't use a clip chart, what do I do?" The very aforementioned question I asked myself (many times!) The answer is actually a long one and is really a journey rather than an answer, but I would encourage you to look into some new ideas, see what else is out there, and give it a endeavour:) While information technology was oh-so difficult for me, I am then glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone!

A few years ago, my school decided to employ the Responsive Classroom approach which changed my thinking completely nigh classroom subject. (I am not actually touting RC equally the all-time effectually, considering it's but one of several great approaches out there to edifice a positive classroom customs. In that location are other like programs with similar tenets. This is simply the one with which I am almost familiar.) The fashion that RC builds community, helps children internalize social skills, and responds to beliefs is so powerful.

I volition get out yous with one idea that could possibly take the place of a clip chart move. My school uses a "Have a Suspension" space. This is not a traditional "Time Out". This is a place in the classroom where children tin take a moment to decompress, have a breather, or think about making unlike choices. The students often go there on their ain, but sometimes are asked to go at that place past the instructor. The student will only stay there for nigh i or ii minutes and I use an egg timer so kids don't stay too long.

Wonderful alternative to behavior charts and time out! Reduces classroom disruption and encourages self regulation.

The basket includes a mirror because sometimes it helps a kid to see the emotion on his own face up in gild to recognize it. In that location are squishy assurance for squeezing the tension away, a few cue cards for self calming, and a timer to remind kids not to stay too long. There normally is a fiddling blimp cat in the box, likewise - wonder where information technology went!? Someone must have needed a little snuggle for the route:)

I know in that location are teachers who accept found beliefs charts to be very successful in their classrooms. I just wanted to share my observations and experiences and mayhap remind u.s. all to accept a closer wait at our little people from a unlike perspective.

~Nikki

UPDATE:If you would like the directions and printables to prepare a Take A Break station in your classroom or home, you can purchase the file HERE on TPT.

UPDATE:
Here is a post with a more detailed description for setting up a Accept A Interruption infinite:

Take A Break Station for upper elementary

Here'southward another post you may find helpful. It gives ideas for what to practice with chronic behavior issues that are not appropriate for the Take A Intermission space.