College of Education
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Faculty Spotlight
George DuPaul

"Typically, treatment for children and adolescents with ADHD and related behavior disorders has focused on reducing their symptoms and disruptive classroom behavior.  It is equally important to directly address their academic and peer relationship difficulties, because many times when academic and social functioning is improved, behavior control also improves.  Further, this allows us to focus on building strengths rather than just reducing deficits."

—George DuPaul
Professor & Chair
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College Home > ADHD > Resources > General Classroom Strategies to Promote Positive Behavior

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ENVIRONMENTAL ARRANGEMENT

  • Develop centers with boundaries
  • Arrange furniture as to avoid long corridors, this will prevent running.
  • Separate academic areas from areas where freeplay occurs
  • Provide enough materials for the number of children permitted in each area
  • Rotate toys and materials to reduce boredom

CLASSROOM RULES

  • Posted
  • Child freindly (use of pictures)
  • Simple
  • Positive
  • Few in number
  • Reviewed several times a day
  • Referred to in the moment
  • Applied consistently

    EXAMPLES OF CLASSROOM RULES
    -Keep hands and feet to self
    -Walking feet in the classroom
    -Use indoor voice
    -Share toys and materials

SCHEDULE / ROUTINE

  • A posted schedule that is child friendly
  • Refer to posted schedule during transitions
  • Use of transitional warnings
    ("When the timer goes off in 1 minute, it will be time to clean up.)
  • Use of a time rto indicate transition times
  • Alternate long, active periods with short, quiet periods
  • Alternate short, teacher-directed activities with long, child-initiated activities
  • Plan what each adult will do during transition times
  • Reduce length of transition time so that there is less waiting

LARGE GROUP INSTRUCTION

  • Length should be short:
    5-10 minutes for toddlers
    10-15 minutes for preschoolers
  • Some children only have the ability to sit for a couple of minutes and these children may require a different plan
  • If possible, have additional teaching staff sit near students who are having difficulty
  • Organize circle to promote participation and attending
  • Use activities that engate all of the students
  • Keep a quick pace
  • Reinforce individual students frequently for attending

SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION

  • Activity should be organized into logical steps
  • Materials for each step should be provided when the previous step ahs been completed
  • Directions should be short and simple
  • Develop activities that are hands-on
  • Individualize based on children's skill level
  • Individualize the activity based on student's interests

INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION

  • Many children with behavioral or attention difficulties have more success while engaged in 1 on 1 instruction
  • The best time to work on individual skills is during freeplay when you can pull them aside for 5-10 minutes

FREEPLAY

  • Teachers should facilitate learning and social skills during freeplay
  • Make sure all children have an opportunity to play in each center
  • Have children plan their play
  • Limit the number of children in each play area

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

  • Utilize additional adults for students who require more individual attention (e.g., volunteers)
  • Adults in the environment should play with children to facilitate learning
  • Provide choices throughout the day
  • Incorporate student interests into all activities
  • Be flexible and have alternative activities available if children are not understanding or interested in the current activity
  • Provide reminders of expectations prior to beginning a new activity

 

AdHD