Choice Challenge Activity: Use Words
Updated: 2 hours ago
Choice Challenge Activity: Use Words #8 (The 3-Step Formula in Action)
Now that you have read My Teacher Is Not an Octopus, reviewed the Choice Challenge blogs, and tried the activities from the book — here is more practice. Three activities per choice for the specific behavior. No timer. No one size fits all. Parents know their child(ren). Teachers know their students. Give each a try. Practice builds choice fitness.
When a child understands how to use the six choices, this leads to more fun. The choice becomes their own. The result is happier children, families, and classrooms.
These activities engage PILES. Physical, Intellectual, Language, Emotional, Social. They build teamwork. And they give a child the words to say, "I can do this."
The goal is not a timer. The goal is the choice becoming part of a child's internal dialogue. The words a child says to themselves when no one is watching.
The student will perform a desired better choice without being redirected or reminded.
Here are three ways to practice.
Activity 1: Feelings Role-Play
Goal: Practice the 3-step formula in pretend situations.
How to do it:
Teach or review the formula:
Say the person's name. Say what you do not like. Say why it hurt your body or your feelings.
Act out simple scenes with puppets or stuffed animals:
One puppet grabs a toy. One puppet pushes.
Ask the children: "What does the puppet need to say?" They give the puppet the three steps.
The children use the puppets to role play as a method of practice and rethinking.
Activity 2: "I Don't Like When..." Cards
Goal: Give children sentence starters for real-life use.
How to do it:
Have a person's name in mind, such as Jack. Always state the person's name first.
Example, "Jack, I like when you help me with my colors."
When we discuss challenges using someone's name first is important. Then, what we do not like.
Practice filling in the blanks together:
"Joey, I don't like when you yell at me. It hurts my feelings."
Keep the cards visible in the room as a reminder.
When a conflict happens guide the children through the steps. If a child forgets to use their words, ask: "Joey, did you use your words?" If the answer is no, redirect them to attempting the steps. If they are unsure of themselves, offer assistance by remodeling the steps.
It is helpful to review the steps at the beginning of the day for reinforcement.
Activity 3: Compliment Flip
Goal: Balance hard conversations with effective words.
How to:
After practicing "Vivien, I don't like when...,"
add: "Vivien, I do like when you ___."
Example:
"John, I don't like when you push me. It hurts my body. I do like when you wait for me."
Practice both sides in pairs or small groups.
This helps children see that using words is about connection, and correction.
How the choices work together in this activity
The 3-step formula does not work alone. When a child says "Suzie, I don't like when you take my crayon. It hurts my feelings," the other child's response is an Own Behavior (#3) moment. And before either child can speak, the breath has to happen. Breathe and Calm (#5) is what makes the words possible.
Consider one moment: a child pushes another in line.
Breathe and Calm (#5):
Both children take a breath. The pause keeps the exchange from becoming a fight.
Use Words (#2):
The child who was pushed says: "Theodore, I don't like when you push me. It hurts my body."
Own Behavior (#3):
Theodore says: "Zach, I apologize for pushing you. I did not mean to."
Wait and Take Turns (#4):
Theodore asks: "May I use the blue crayon when you are done with it, Zach?"Zach: "Yes."
Rethink (#6):
Theodore says: "My first choice was pushing. My better choice is saying 'excuse me'."
Five choices working together.
See What is the Choice Challenge? Blog and Choice Challenge blogs one through six for extended definitions from My Teacher Is Not an Octopus for more ways to practice.
All six choices are a collaborative learning experience. They partner with each other on most occasions.
A simple takeaway
The three steps. The cards. The puppet. These are the tools.
Children need consistent practice with this strategy before the skill becomes automatic.
Review:
What is the Choice Challenge? Blog and Choice Challenge blogs one through six for extended definitions from My Teacher Is Not an Octopus.
All six choices are a collaborative learning experience. They partner with each other on most occasions.
Children need consistent practice with this strategy before the skill becomes automatic.
Each child experiences social-emotional development at different speeds and levels. As a child uses the choices interacting with others, adjustments increase competency. The foundation through patience and practice builds behavior muscles.
Every time a child uses the three steps without being prompted, the skill is building. Filling gaps or holes, as explained in the blog What is the Choice Challenge? and the Choice Challenge guide, is practice. Practice builds choice fitness.
Choice Challenge Guide will be released in eBook and paperback. You will have the option to download for free by signing up or buy online. The choice is yours :)
About the author
Patience Filippo is a children's author, artist, educator, and veteran with decades of classroom experience. She created the Choice Challenge: Poor to Better Decisions for Everyday Behavior to help kids and grown-ups be better humans, one better choice at a time. The Choice Challenge is the framework behind My Teacher Is Not an Octopus, a self-regulating behavior management book for early learners. Begin at birth. Grow into lifelong learning.
Empowering happiness through literacy.
Find Patience online https://linktr.ee/askmisspatience
