Welcome to our lesson on adjusting the environment
- In this section, you will learn
- What it means to adjust the environment
- Why adjusting the environment is important
- How to adjust the environment to improve behaviors
Adjust the Environment overview
What is adjusting the environment?
- Making the physical space safer for your child
- Changing things in the physical space so it is easier for your child to follow rules and do what you tell them to do
- Removing things in the physical space that distract or tempt your child so they can make good choices
What does adjusting the environment look like?
- Keeping breakable or off limit items out of reach or out of sight.
- Moving bedtime earlier if you notice your child gets cranky each night.
- Setting clothes out the night before so your child can easily get dressed in the morning.
- Having toy bins that are organized and easy to reach so that children can clean up or find what they need.
- Having a chart with pictures for morning or nighttime routines so children have a visual reminder.
Adjusting the environment live in action
Why is adjusting the environment important?
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We adjust the environment to keep children safe. We do this by making sure they can’t get to things that could be dangerous or hurt them.
For example, you can cover outlets for young children. You can also put parental controls on tablets or phones for older children.
Adjusting the environment improves behaviors by taking away things that prompt negative behaviors. It is easier for children to listen, follow the rules, and make good choices when they are not distracted or tempted.
- Some children get focused on a TV or device when they are supposed to be doing something else. In this case, turn off the device and or put it out of sight.
- If a child is having a hard time cleaning up, move the bin closer. This makes clean-up easier.
- At mealtimes, limit distractions. For example, turn off the TV. Or, move their chair to limit distractions
Adjusting the environment helps you avoid giving a lot of commands to your child. It also helps you avoid having to tell them no, don’t, stop, quit, or not. When you want to say these things, think about how you can adjust the environment instead.
When and how should I adjust the environment?
Learn how adjust the environment can be used by selecting a specific difficult behavior below.
More: Learn how adjust the environment can be used by selecting a specific positive behavior/goal below.
Caregiver Voices
Other caregivers share how they’ve adjusted the environment at home:
How would you adjust the environment?
Question #1
Which of the following is an example of adjusting the environment?
Question #2
If a child is having a hard time cleaning up, which of the following ways could you adjust the environment to make it easier to listen?
Question #3
If siblings argue and poke each other during dinner, how could you adjust the environment to improve behaviors?
Ideas for fun activities
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Looking at a magazine or book illustration. Point out anything dangerous or things that could be problems. Talk about how those things could be adjusted to makes it better.
My plan for adjusting the environment
Think about how you can adjust the environment at home.
Hooray! You've learned a new skill: Adjusting the Environment
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