Lesson 8: Role of Environment


Attention

This image struck me as particularly cool for this Lesson Plan! When considering the environment in which one needs to act, in this case, the maze...think of the perspective the person standing on top has versus the others in the maze!

When we provide clear guidelines and expectations...including rules...we provide this perspective to our students. It is all laid out...you simply need to chart your course then plop down and get-r-done!


Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Identify why it is important to deal with behaviors in the environment in which they occur
  • Develop examples of how "engaging activities" may prevent behavior problems
  • Develop examples of how "rules" may prevent behavior problems

Teaching

Behaviors occur in environments...and the basic principle of Behavior Management is that we MODIFY the ENVIRONMENT in order to bring about changes in behavior...so this is an INDIRECT way of creating behavior change.

You can even view each environment as sort of a "Country"...it has its own laws, people, expectations for behavior, etc...and just like we need to be taught how to act, speak, and carry on when we go to France (at least we do if we want to have a good time) we should teach skills that provide people with thier best chance in every environment.

We can, however, also manipulate environments to best suit the needs of an individual or to GUIDE or INSTRUCT a person on what needs to be done and the expectations. These measures PREVENT behavior problems just like SKILL DEVELOPMENT.

So, here are some examples:

  • Classroom Examples
    • Being prepared
    • Having materials
    • Instructions sheets
    • Rubrics
    • Overhead slides
    • Classroom rules and expectations
    • Activities are well organized
  • Home Examples
    • Chore sheets
    • Rules
    • Communication tools such as a white board or calendar
  • Work Examples
    • Time clocks
    • Set schedules
    • To do lists
    • Job descriptions
    • Job evaluations
    • Work tools (written instructions on how to do tasks)
    • Objects in a waiting room that control traffic (those ropes that make us get into line)
    • Signage (bathrooms, information, etc.)

As you can see there are lots and lots of ways in which the environment COMMUNICATES with us to tell us what is expected.


Assessment

Lesson 8 Discussion

Discuss the following:

  • Reflect on what it means when you say “The behavior has to be dealt with in the environment in which it occurs.”
  • Provide an example of how you may manipulate the environment by “Engaging Activities” to prevent a child from acting out in a classroom.
  • Provide an example of how “Rules” may be used to prevent unwanted behaviors in a child at home.