If you have a very challenging youngster, here is a technique that will give you and the child success.
Give the disrupting child four clothespins. Clip them together to make a square. At the beginning of the school day place them on top of the student’s desk where they are readily visible and accessible.
When the particularly challenging student acts irresponsibly, quietly ask for a clothespin.
Taking the clothespin gives something tangible to attach to an undesirable behavior and an opportunity to have the child make a better choice. The student is prompted to reflect, “Is this behavior worth losing a clothespin, or can I figure this out on my own?“
When this approach is used to the point that the child loses no more clothespins, then ask the student, “Are you now mature enough so that we don’t have to have them anymore?”
By using this procedure and having the student reflect, you will find that using clothespins will no longer be necessary. The youngster will have weaned himself from the external approach.
