Think Time

Think Time is a way for the child to gain control of themselves before they escalate the behavior in something that will be a problem for themselves and others.
I use the “Three Strikes and you’re out rule.” If the child has more than 3 non-appropriate behaviors during a ½ hour period they will be sent to Think Time.
We as Parents will begin to be distracted, irritated, and upset if you let them go beyond three per ½ hour.
The child will be sent to Think Time, an area where no attention may be accessed, usually a chair, stool or rug, that is located away from other people, when they are having difficulties behaviorally.
Tell the child to go to the Think Time area. If they will not comply, you must place the child on the chair, stool or rug and walk away, do not talk to them. Remember the coercion cycle? If the child gets up continue to place them in the Think Time area and walk away, no interacting. This may be the MOST difficult part of the procedure. If you are consistent, it will pay off BIG!! (Have you ever seen Super Nanny?)

DON’T Forget that you have placed your child in Think Time, set a timer to remind you.. The time should be one minute per year of age, 1 year = 1 minute, 5 years = 5 minutes, 8 years = 8 minutes…
The child should be required to calm down and then complete the answers on the Behavior Improvement form. If the child is young they may simply answer the questions before they are allowed to leave the Think Time area. If the child screams or has a bad attitude, about answering the questions, walk away and say. “I’ll be back.” DON”T START THE COERSION CYCLE AGAIN!!!! You can set the timer again. Go back and ask the questions after the child has calmed down.
If the child escalates again and gets out of the Think Time area, place the child in the Think Time area again, with no further comment.


Think Time Questions/Form/Contract

What was your behavior? (What did you do?)

What did you want? (Why did you do the behavior?)

Did you get what you wanted? (Do you feel that you got what you wanted from the behavior?)

What should you have done instead of what you did?

Name 4 other things that you could have done instead that would be appropriate.

What are you required to do next? (When you go back to the same situation what will you do that is appropriate?)

Will you be able to do that appropriately?

Child Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature: ____________________________________________________________________________________