Challenging Behavior Tips
These handouts for families provide useful tips for promoting positive behavior during common family activities and routines that can sometimes be challenging.
Riding the Bus
Remember, “Busy Hands are Happy Hands.” Help prevent the yelling and complaining by giving them things to do while on the bus that they enjoy. Provide them with options and let them choose. As the parent, you’ll need to do some planning ahead of time.
Riding the Bus Tip Sheet (PDF)
Riding the Bus Tip Sheet - Spanish (PDF)
Riding in the Car
Remember, “Busy Hands are Happy Hands.” Help prevent the yelling and crying by giving them things to do while in the car that they enjoy. Provide them with options and let them choose. As the parent, you’ll need to do some planning ahead of time.
Riding in the Car Tip Sheet (PDF)
Riding in the Car Tip Sheet - Spanish (PDF)
Cleaning up Toys
Make sure to give your child a warning ahead of time that they will have to clean up soon. Set a timer and tell them when it goes off, it will be time to clean up.
Cleaning Up Toys Tip Sheet (PDF)
Cleaning Up Toys Tip Sheet - Spanish (PDF)
Following Directions
Listen to your own instructions—make sure they are clear, specific, and consistent.
Following Directions Tip Sheet (PDF)
Following Directions Tip Sheet - Spanish (PDF)
Leaving the House
Decide which tasks are most important—are you having them do too many things by themselves?
Leaving the House Tip Sheet (PDF)
Leaving the House Tip Sheet - Spanish (PDF)
At the Grocery Store
Talk with your children before you go into the store and tell them how they should act when they get into the store. Use positive statements (DO this) instead of negative statements (DON’T do). Also, let them know what will happen if they do run down the aisle or don’t get what they want.
At the Grocery Store Tip Sheet (PDF)
At the Grocery Store Tip Sheet - Spanish (PDF)
Changing Activities/ Making Transitions
Make sure to give your child a warning ahead of time that they will have to change activities. Set a timer and tell them when the timer beeps, they need to go to the next activity.
Changing Activities/Making Transitions Tip Sheet (PDF)
Changing Activities/Making Transitions Tip Sheet - Spanish (PDF)
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