The study examined the effectiveness of a behavior point system in reducing the frequency of three maladaptive social behaviors (verbal outbursts, interruptions, nonsensical talk) in a severely brain injured male (age 21). All target behaviors declined with introduction of the point system, though nonsensical talk was least responsive to…

Case study assessed effects of rearrangement of desks in an open classroom on incidents of disruptive behavior occurring in that classroom. Results revealed that alteration of the physical environment produced positive responses from students through reduction of maladaptive behavior occurrences. (Author/MH)

Asserting that young children often demonstrate challenging behaviors for any number of reasons, this paper presents strategies designed to prevent problem behaviors in young children. Basic principles for establishing a community of learners are discussed. Strategies for teaching children to negotiate, problem solve, and understand the viewpoints…

This action research project sought to improve the social skills of targeted third-graders. The problem of students exhibiting a lack of social skills was documented by means of student discipline referrals, anecdotal records, and teacher surveys. Evidence indicated that students failed to solve conflicts in positive manners, were unable to work…

This study evaluated the outcomes of an ongoing child day-treatment program in operation at a health treatment center in the Midwest. The program emphasized development of social skills through modeling by adults and practice with peers in 3-hour sessions that met 4 times a week. Evaluation focused on the extent to which clients improved in social…

This action research project implemented and evaluated a program for enhancing students' social skills in order to increase their ability to work cooperatively and to resolve conflict. The targeted population consisted of kindergarten students in a lower income urban school, located in a medium-sized Midwestern city. The problem of insufficient…

Nursery teachers in Greece were surveyed to determine their definition of behavior problems and their relevance to management techniques employed. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to 225 nursery teachers; 154 teachers returned the questionnaire for 280 children perceived to be exhibiting behavior problems. The findings showed that…

Support for this research was provided by The University Research Committee of the University of Alabama.

Describes a class contingency management program designed to increase class on-task behavior and cooperation while decreasing class disruptiveness, peer denigration, complaining, and interference with teacher instruction. Results indicated the program accomplished immediate and rapid increases in disruption-free instructional time. (RC)

A study involving five fourth-grade behavior problem children with reading failure was designed to replicate an earlier study which demonstrated positive effects of teacher written praise notes as motivating agents for improved performance. (SBH)

This article surveys several teacher interventions supported in the research literature to prevent the development of behavior problems in school-aged children. Strategies include specific teaching of social communication skills, clear communication of behavior expectations, creating a supportive school climate, and continual reinforcement of…

Studies the effectiveness of a free-time contingency on reducing the frequency of interruptions of 28 students in a residential treatment center high class room. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of implementation, use of peers for data collection and impact on the target behaviors. (FMW)

Suggests that children can learn to successfully resolve problems by age four. Describes two interpersonal problem-solving thinking skills (alternative solution thinking and consequential thinking) which, if used by children, facilitate better adjustment and greater social competence. Teaching children problem-solving techniques, or how to think,…

This article describes the use of social-story intervention programs to teach appropriate social behavior to 3 children with autism (ages 7 and 11). The intervention combined social-story methodology with a behavioral social skills training strategy. Suggestions for developing, implementing, and evaluating social-story programs are provided.…

This article explains Family of Origin Education, a cognitive approach to helping students change maladaptive behaviors through understanding the historical and environmental contexts of such behaviors. Three phases of the approach, including staff preparation, student training (an eight-step process), and application to nonadaptive behavior, are…