Happy Face Middle Face Frowny Face Behavior Chart Clip Art

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

I know from all the prune charts and behavior charts I have seen on Pinterest that this statement has probably already raised a couple of eyebrows, simply I hope y'all'll hear me out anyway.

A few days ago one of my colleagues, (who is a nifty teacher, wonderful mom, and all around awesome person) sabbatum down at our team coming together and said, "I want you 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 maxim it was not that different from my reason for letting those charts go. Her own sweet showtime grader had come home from school the solar day before, completely crushed after being put on "red"on the color nautical chart. A sweetness boy who wants zero more than than to please his teacher and do the correct matter at school. I'm sure he did something he shouldn't take or tried his instructor'southward patience one likewise many times, but that child will not walk into that classroom with his caput held high tomorrow.

I remembered my own son coming home from Kindergarten, day after day, in tears because he just couldn't seem to stay on 'light-green'. He wanted so badly to behave. He wanted to please his teachers. He wanted mom and dad to be proud of him. Merely his impulsivity did non permit him to keep himself in check for the whole schoolhouse mean solar day. Every time she moved that clip, he was existence reminded that he wasn't good plenty for his teacher. That kindergarten twelvemonth was one of the hardest years our family has endured. Information technology is utterly heartbreaking to hear your kid say things like, "I hate myself. Why can't I exist good? My teacher hates me. I'yard not good enough." Tears are dropping on the keyboard equally I think those moments.
Now that he is being treated for ADHD, he is much happier at schoolhouse and doing well, but that color chart just most destroyed my son.

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

Some are ADHD similar my little guy and are battling their own bodies for control each day, some are coming from homes so broken and troubled it'south but astounding, and many are simply neglected and left to be raised by siblings or television set. I really had to stop and realize that my wishes for their classroom beliefs were superceded by their own complicated lives.

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

They track behavior, just they do not modify it.
For kids who are not able to adhere to the cultural expectations of school, the nautical chart can be absolutely demoralizing. And this seems to be more often than not boys - hmmm.
The nautical chart makes the supposition, before the kid ever crosses the threshold of the classroom door, that he is going to misbehave. Ouch.
As much as we try to make that chart seem similar a 'reminder' and not a negative thing, it is nevertheless embarrassing to many children.
Even kids who always stay on 'green', frequently feel stress and worry as they watch some of their classmates repeatedly movement on the color chart.

I know many proponents of the charts say that some kids just need the reminder to get back on rails. They see their clip moved and they want to get dorsum on green. The children know the chart is not a negative thing - it's just a way to encourage them to do the correct thing. They need consequences for negative behavior. And the newer charts reward positive behavior. It works for me and my kids similar it.
I hear and sympathize all of these behavior - some of them are very valid. I held them, also.

Simply, I only inquire you to place yourself in that petty person'southward shoes, looking upwards at the instructor they desire to print (yes, fifty-fifty the disobedient, defiant, disrespectful ones:) and imagine how they see themselves. How they feel. What will they accept away from the experience?

I only have to say that afterwards using the charts, then letting them get and doing something different, I can't buy into my onetime color chart anymore. Kids do need reminders to stay on track. They practice need consequences for negative behavior, and we should advantage positive behavior. But not past causing stress, worry, and shame. I had to become a mommy and experience my own child's hurting to see that.

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

A few years ago, my schoolhouse decided to use the Responsive Classroom approach which changed my thinking completely well-nigh classroom discipline. (I am not actually touting RC equally the all-time around, because it's just one of several great approaches out there to building a positive classroom community. There are other similar programs with similar tenets. This is just the one with which I am most familiar.) The way that RC builds community, helps children internalize social skills, and responds to behavior is and so powerful.

I volition exit you lot with one idea that could possibly take the place of a clip chart move. My school uses a "Take a Interruption" space. This is not a traditional "Time Out". This is a place in the classroom where children tin can take a moment to decompress, accept a breather, or recall nigh making different choices. The students frequently go there on their own, only sometimes are asked to go at that place past the instructor. The student volition only stay there for virtually 1 or 2 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 information technology helps a child to run into the emotion on his own face in social club to recognize it. At that place are squishy balls for squeezing the tension away, a few cue cards for self calming, and a timer to remind kids not to stay besides long. At that place usually is a little stuffed cat in the box, too - wonder where it went!? Someone must have needed a little snuggle for the route:)

I know there are teachers who take found behavior charts to be very successful in their classrooms. I just wanted to share my observations and experiences and maybe remind united states of america all to take a closer look at our little people from a different perspective.

~Nikki

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

UPDATE:
Here is a mail service with a more detailed description for setting up a Take A Intermission space:

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 advisable for the Take A Break infinite.