Using strategic attention for
Recognize the behavior:
Refuses to leave a friend’s house when it’s time to go home.
Identify what you want to see:
Saying goodbye and leaving the house.
Use the Skill:
Try to ignore whining or tantrums about leaving. Attend to leaving behaviors, like picking up toys, putting on shoes, or walking to the car.
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Purpose:
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Strategic attention lets your child know what you like. If you argue or get angry with defiance, your child may learn that is how to get your attention. Instead, ignore if your child whines, tantrums, or tries to make defiance a game. Use your other strategies to help your child listen. Then give lots of attention to any behavior that shows they are starting to listen.
Remember that strategic attention is most helpful when you also use the other PC-CARE skills.
