Behavior Monitoring Methods and Strategies that Work

Behavior monitoring is an important intervention for positive behavior change that encourages students to engage in more acceptable behaviors in the classroom. 

Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tend to have difficulty with impulsivity, which can impact their ability to learn in the classroom, even if the impulsive behavior is not intentional. In addition, these children also demonstrate difficulty with self-monitoring or regulating their emotions and behaviors. 

Therefore, behavior monitoring is an effective technique for teaching students, whether they have ADHD or not, how to monitor their own behaviors, set goals, and engage in more appropriate behaviors.

This article will explore the importance of behavior monitoring, behavior monitoring methods to try, and how Joon can help children succeed in the classroom. Keep reading to learn more!

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The Importance of Behavior Monitoring

Behavior monitoring is a data collection method that provides teachers with the information they require to help students achieve goals and succeed in the classroom. It also involves an adult checking in on student behavior over time. In addition, it can occur when students are an active participant and check in on their own behaviors, otherwise known as self-monitoring.

Behavior monitoring can include academic behaviors, social behaviors, as well as participation and attendance behaviors. Generally, when engaging in behavior monitoring, teachers will observe and collect data on a specific behavior over a certain time period. The teacher will then begin analyzing data to identify any behavioral patterns. Finally, this data will be used to create or modify a behavioral plan.

In addition, when this behavioral intervention is utilized, it allows students to recognize how their behavior can affect other individuals around them. It also creates an opportunity for students to learn appropriate behavior that is necessary to succeed in the classroom, and in life.

Are Behavior Monitoring Strategies Effective?

Children who have emotional or behavioral problems may experience difficulties within the classroom. They may have a hard time engaging with teachers or demonstrating appropriate social skills with their peers. When behavioral interventions are not used with these children, achieving success within the classroom is very challenging for these students.

When behavior management strategies are used appropriately and consistently, more sustainable outcomes are achieved. These strategies often decrease the frequency of disruptive behaviors within the classroom and encourage students to demonstrate positive behavior change and improve the engagement of students in school and their academic performance. 

Behavior Monitoring Methods to Try

There are a variety of behavior monitoring strategies available for teachers to try, such as utilizing "nominations" by other adults, engaging in interval recording, and reviewing school records. 

When choosing a strategy to encourage behavior change in a student, consider which strategy will work best for the individual based on their needs and the behavior that occurs. 

Daily behavior report card

A daily behavior report card or DRC is a behavioral intervention used to monitor behavior in the classroom and promote more positive behaviors. Generally, the teacher will record any positive behaviors or disruptive behaviors that the child engages in. 

Research has suggested that DRCs are an effective intervention for changing ADHD children's behaviors at school and in the home, if they are used daily.

The teacher will send this report card home for the child's parent to review and sign. This creates a constant communication between teachers and parents. 

In addition, if the child engages in positive behaviors and does well that day, parents are encouraged to reward their child. Rewards further motivate the child to engage in more acceptable behaviors, resulting in positive change. 

How Joon Can Help Promote Positive Behaviors

Joon is an app designed for children, between the ages of 6 and 12. It is a video game that helps make daily routine tasks fun for kids. 

Joon helps motivate children to engage in positive behaviors and complete tasks assigned to them. How does it work? By reinforcing them to choose a virtual pet to feed, wash, and grow, children are encouraged to take care of their virtual pet by completing to-dos and engaging in positive behaviors.

For teachers, Joon makes it easy to keep track of in class tasks and encourages students to focus and complete their assignments. Joon makes it simple to view and manage the entire classroom, with one interface. 

As you assign new assignments and review completed ones, children will have access to the rewards of Joon! Teachers, Sign up for free!

“Nominations” by other adults in the child’s life

When beginning a new school year, teachers may be unaware of the students who require the most support in the classroom. Given the new situation, teachers might ask teachers from the previous year to identify students that needed the most support in their class. This can include emotional, behavioral, or academic support. 

Receiving these "nominations" allow teachers to proactively develop a plan and behavioral intervention for monitoring the students' progress and encouraging that the child engages in positive behaviors. In addition, this also creates a sense of continuity for the child as they begin a new school year.

Interval recording

Interval recording involves observing the child and recording the number of times a behavior occurs or does not occur during a specific block of time. 

For instance, a specific behavior monitoring strategy can include recording the number of times a child interrupts and speaks without raising their hand within a 30-minute period. 

These specific intervals can be made longer or shorter, depending on the behavior being recorded and the target behavior you are encouraging the child to engage in. 

Check and Connect

“Check and Connect” is a behavior monitoring program that is utilized to prevent behaviors such as drop out in older students, or any other undesirable behaviors. It is an effective strategy to support a student in reaching their behavioral goals. 

During the "check" aspect of Check and Connect, teachers regularly monitor student behavior. 

After the "check" process is complete, teachers can "connect" with students by utilizing a variety of strategies. These strategies can include incorporating positive reinforcement, consequences, discussion, relationship building, and counseling. 

Per Riccomini et al. (2005), students should receive instructions and practice in a cognitive behavioral strategy that includes a five-step problem solving techniques to connect:

1. Stop to think about the problem
2. What are the choices available?
3. Choose one of the choices.
4. Engage in the behavior.
5. How did it work?

Review school records

As a child's teacher, it may be helpful to review school records and identify any behavioral patterns over the students' education journey that raise a red flag. 

For example, certain behaviors that could indicate concern include excessive absences, an increase in tardiness, an increase in work that is not completed, changes in eating patterns, and an increase in visits to the school nurse.

When reviewing school records, you may be able to identify the root cause of a student's behavior. However, it is recommended to work with the school counselor or school psychologist when analyzing the data if there is an area of concern.

Screening tools

When collecting data, it may be helpful to include various screening measures or rating scales to better understand why a particular student is engaging in certain behaviors. 

Screening instruments provide more in-depth measures about students that teachers might not necessarily get from collecting data.

For instance, when including a parent or teacher rating scale in the data collection process, you are also creating a direct line of communication between parents and teachers, further encouraging a child to engage in target behaviors.

Takeaway 

Behavior monitoring is an intervention that has been a proven effective strategy for classroom management. While there are a variety of behavior monitoring strategies available such as "Check and Connect, using screening tools, encouraging nominations from teachers, and engaging in interval recording, it is important to utilize these strategies based on the individual needs of the child.

With consistency, patience, and a positive attitude in whichever behavioral intervention you choose, students will learn and begin to model appropriate behaviors that will help them achieve success in the classroom, at home, and in life.