TAKE-HOME STRATEGY

Supporting Behaviors at Home

Aerial view of child-sized shoes beside backpack

What It's About

Children communicate and express themselves through their behavior. The best way to support positive behaviors is to focus your child’s attention on what to do and what you want to see, instead of what not to do. 

As they engage in different types of behaviors, try to think about why they are doing what they are doing. Once you know the why, you can help your child find positive ways to communicate with others.

ACTIVITY CHOICE BOARD

Here are some ways you can support behaviors at home. Keep in mind that you can change these activities to work for you and your child, based on their current abilities, interests, and what you have available at home.

Take a look, and try out your favorites!

Plan Ahead

Talk about your schedule for the day. This helps your child know what to expect. Knowing what comes next makes it easier to move from one activity to the next. For added support, use visuals to show them the schedule.

Play Ball

Play with a ball (or even rolled up socks). As you play, practice kicking the ball softly and with control, then harder and faster. This will help your child practice self-control as they kick the ball in different ways.

Stretch and Breathe

Help your child learn ways to calm their body by doing yoga or deep breathing. As they are doing this, point out what you see. For example, “Your body is getting calm. I can see you focusing on that breath. Breathe in for 1...2...3...”

Fast and Slow

Sing songs or play games where children move their body fast, then slow. Point out how they are controlling their movements.

Get Them Involved

Involve your child in what you are doing. Give your child a job to help them feel ownership of an activity. For example, at the grocery store, let them hold the list and check off items as you get them. Or when you are cooking, let your child help get ingredients out, stir, or measure items.

Play Games

Play games like Follow the Leader. Take turns being the leader and encourage the other person to copy their moves. Point out times when your child follows the leader’s directions.

Quick Cues for Supporting Behaviors

Some things you might do or say to help strengthen your child’s ability to manage behaviors

Give Effective Directions

Give specific and clear directions to help your child know and remember what they should be doing.

This can sound like:

“It’s time to go inside. I’m going to pick you up and walk back to the door.”

“Walk, please!”

“Please put the blocks in the basket.” 

Notice Positive Behaviors

Point out when your child is showing the behaviors you want to see.

This can sound like:

“You are being so gentle with the puppy!”

“You are putting your toys away on the shelf! Great job!”

“Wow, thank you so much for your help cleaning up dinner!”

Give Choices

Help your child feel that they have a “say” in what they can do by offering choices.

This can sound like:

“Should we sing a song or read a book?”

“Would you like oranges or apples for snack?”

“It’s time to go. Do you want to put your jacket or shoes on first?”

Our Book Recommendations for Supporting Behaviors

Engaging stories that support children’s behaviors
hands can cover

Hands Can

Written by Cheryl Willis Hudson and illustrated by John-Francis Bourke, this book features repetitive text and photographs of real children to highlight positive ways to use our hands.

Have fun with it: 
Point out the positive and helpful ways your child uses their hands throughout the day.

Front cover of the book You Are a Lion

You are a Lion

Written and illustrated by Taeeun Yoo, this fun story guides children through simple and relaxing animal yoga poses.

Have fun with it:
Invite your child to try or create different poses while breathing deeply.

More Strategies

We’re creating a library of resources like these so families can quickly and easily promote children’s development at home. Be sure to see all the strategies we have available!

visit our take-home strategy library