The One-Minute Behavior Change Plan
by Ted Kasper
Q: I am tired of listening to my 6 yr. old tease his younger sister, always blame others for his behavior, constantly interrupt me, and talk back to me. Do you have any suggestions?
A: Yes. I have used a method, which I call The One-Minute Behavior Change Plan, which helps children learn more desirable behaviors to replace annoying, irritating, socially undesirable behaviors. This Plan is a quick and highly effective discipline strategy that is a parental verbal skill. It is designed to change and eliminate negative behaviors. It is not a "get-after-them-after-the-fact" type of discipline technique. The Plan is an intermediate step, implemented between when you notice the behavior and before consequences are applied.
It is a strategy that focuses on the parental role of a teacher and a coach. In a nutshell, you would identify the unwanted behavior, then help your child to become conscious of, or more aware of, the behavior. You then teach an appropriate replacement behavior to take the place of the annoying, irritating, negative behavior.
There are 2 stages to the One-Minute Behavior Change Plan: planning and implementation.
In the planning stage, here is an outline of the 5 steps to be taken:
- choose one behavior that you would like to see gone from your son's repertoire
- give that behavior a short, descriptive name that will be used each time you observe the behavior
- determine the reason why the behavior is inappropriate
- pick a replacement behavior for the undesirable behavior
- prepare a verbal statement to use when the undesirable behavior occurs that has these components: Identify the behavior, a reason why it is inappropriate, the "new" replacement behavior.
A successful implementation stage has 3 critical components. They are:
- use your verbal statement (from Planning, step 5) each time, and every time you see or hear the behavior no matter where you are or what time it is-no ignoring the behavior once or twice hoping it will go away!
- repetition, repetition, repetition of your verbal statement-use it the first time, and every time, that you see/hear the behavior (as you probably know, inconsistency is the 'kiss-of-death' of any discipline strategy!)
- act as if every time is the first time-regardless of how many times you have seen/heard the behavior, you will use your verbal statement(as if it were the fist time!))
If the One-Minute Behavior Change Plan is used the first-time (and every time) your son engages in the annoying, irritating, unacceptable behavior that you have chosen to work on, you will soon find yourself saying "Good-bye!" to that behavior.
Ted Kasper is a licensed social worker in Macomb County who is employed by Macomb County Community Mental Health as Training Coordinator. In his private practice, he provides counseling to children, adolescents, adults and families. He specializes in Behavior Analysis & Interventions; Parent Coaching, Mentoring and Support and "SuperNanny Services" (behavioral observation, action planning, and interventions). Contact him at 586.255.2259, email
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or visit www.familyactionplan.com for more details. Kasper is a member of The Family Center's Association of Professionals.
Save The Date
'The Culture of Accountability and the One-Minute Behavior Change Plan'
Presented by Ted Kasper, sponsored by The Family Center
Thursday, November 18, 2010
6pm-9pm
Barnes Early Childhood Center (20090 Morningside Dr., Grosse Pointe Woods)
FREE, Attendance is limited to 20 attendees.
Register Early online at www.familycenterweb.org!
Or contact The Family Center at 313.432.3832 or
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Celebrating a Decade of Commitment to Community Families 2000-2010
The Family Center serves as the community's hub for information, resources and referral for both families and professionals. The Family Center is a non-profit organization founded to promote a deeper understanding of the role of parents and others in supporting our youth to become competent, caring and responsible community members.
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To volunteer or contribute, visit www.familycenterweb.org, call (313) 432.3832.
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or write to: The Family Center
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