Quiet Spot

All classes could use a quiet spot, but over the years, it has come to be an essential behavior management tool for my students. I use papasan chairs that I bought from Target a few years ago. I have seen similar ones from WalMart. I have some posters that I printed from Boardmaker Share with pro-social language and a mirror. When I first have to implement it with a student, they don't realize that it is something I WANT them to do, that I am okay that they are leaving the activity. I let them blow off steam and once in a while ask if they are ready to talk. Based on the child's needs or if they have a behavior plan, we work through the problem and discuss alternatives to what they could have done. I use a lot of the following language:

• big deal/little deal
• solving the problem
• let's move on
• First....Then....statements

It's been a place that the kids use when they are feeling fine and when they have something going on that is really making the moment/day hard for them. Hope it works for you, too!

Easy, flexible reward chart

I have one little kiddo who requests hugs throughout the day, with a few staff in the room, it helps to give how she asks some structure. I got these mini clipboards for 1$ this summer, not sure what I would use them for. It worked great for a hug chart for her. She starts each day with 5 and she can turn them in to us. She is pretty independent with it, being flexible with me when I tell her that I am teaching the group, but she can ask one of the paraprofessionals. Keeps her going throughout the day:)

Ready to Work Fingerplay Chant

I can't recall which blog I found this on, but I probably start this chant 8 times a day! It is such a good "Get yourself ready to work" prompt for my kiddos.
I usually start by asking (loudly) "How many fingers do we have???"

I have ten little fingers,
And they all belong to me.
(hold hands out in front)

I can make them do things,
Would you like to see?
I can shut them up tight.
(make a fist)

I can open them wide
(spread fingers out)

I can put them together.
(clasp hands together)

or I can make them hide.
(put hands behind back)

I can jump them up high.
(raise hands over head)

I can jump them down low.
(lower hands to knees)

I can fold them together
and hold them in my lap just so.
(fold hands in lap)

Self and Match (Salter and Croce)

I got to go to the Self and Match: Introduction training at the end of June. It was great! I have used Self and Match, know the psychology and theory behind it, but this thorough day training was pretty eye-opening to what I can be doing differently and better for my kiddos.
I would recommend this workshop to anyone looking to improve an individual or class-wide motivation system.
Here is a link to their blog:
Self and Match (Salter and Croce) website

Another Staples Find!

Although they aren't in the dollar section right now, Staples has Lock-Ups brand containers from time to time. These work perfectly for edible rewards (with parent permission) for appropriate behavior. We can put one little piece of candy in there and the kids can hold it during the activity, so it remains visible for them and they have something to busy their hands with. They need some support in the beginning so they don't shake it during instruction, but my kiddos got it pretty quickly. If they want to hold it, it stays quiet, simple as that.
They even twist and lock together!