Using rules for
Recognize the behavior:
Gets out of chair repeatedly.
Identify what you want to see:
Staying in the chair.
Use the Skill:
Try a rule like, “The rule is we all sit at the table until everyone is done. If you stay at the table, you can have dessert. If you leave the table, you will not get dessert.”
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Purpose:
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Rules help children know what they have to do. But, you should only set a rule if you know your child can follow it. If meals are very long, your child might need to get up occasionally. If the meal is very fancy or boring for the child, it can be hard to stay seated. If your child has ADHD or a high activity temperament, it might not be possible for them to stay seated in a chair for 30 minutes or more. Make sure that your child can follow the rule and that you have adjusted the environment to make it as easy as possible for your child to stay at the table. Then, you can set a rule.
Remember that rules are most helpful when you also use the other PC-CARE skills.
