Deciding how to respond is easier when you have more tools in your toolbox! Be sure to check out our listing of upcoming events in WNY, to take advantage of local opportunities for professional development.

Click here to view events!

 When you’re a preschooler who is running in the hallway, pushing a friend, or exhibiting other challenging behaviors, sometimes all you need is an adult who is willing to teach you a more appropriate alternative. Put simply, some children are begging adults, “Tell me what to do instead!”

This simple one-page PDF is full of realistic examples of positive language, with tips for tone and word choice. What a terrific addition to your toolbox!

http://www.cainclusion.org/teachingpyramid/materials/classroom/TellMeWhatToDoInstead_ClassroomCA.pdf

While there’s no “one size fits all” solution for challenging behaviors, there’s one  tried and true approach that’s proven to be helpful — boosting children’s social emotional competence.

 The Pyramid Model is an evidence-based model focused on strong relationships and social-emotional development — and the NYS Pyramid Model Partnership is committed to helping you access, understand, and apply the pyramid-related supports!

To learn more about the pyramid model partnership, including a complete schedule of upcoming trainings throughout the state, click here: http://www.nysecac.org/news-and-events/pyramid-model

A wise mentor once told me that I didn’t have to attend every fight I was invited to; that advice has proven to be useful in parenting and teaching alike — in fact, it’s helpful at work, in marriage, and pretty much in all aspects of life. Yet, I have to admit that few words can push my buttons like: “Why?…But why?…Why not?..You can’t make me!” – especially in the classroom.

To avoid engaging in power struggles, it’s helpful for me to remember that “When children are defiant, their goal is not to annoy, disrespect, or frustrate us. Rather, their goal often is to feel significant.” It’s also helpful to have lots of tools in my toolbox:

• 18 Ways to Avoid Power Struggles 
• “When Children are Defiant” – teacher tips from the Responsive Classroom
• Coping with Power Struggles – excellent handout for families

We’re interested in hearing from you,too. How do *you* prepare for those moments when the #struggleisreal?

Lots of exciting updates here at the WNY Behavior Toolbox recently:

• You can now find us on Facebook! “Like” our page for terrific resources and a great opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals.
• New local events, all focused on helping you support children’s social emotional health, have been added to our site. Check out the “Events in WNY” tab above and be sure to let us know if you’d like an event to be added.
• A complete directory of the agencies represented in the WNY Behavior Collaboration is now available. Click on the “About” tab above for links to our community partners.

Thanks for all you do to support children in our community!

Thanks for visiting the WNY Behavior Toolbox, a new resource for early childhood professionals.

• Need help with challenging behaviors? Add some tools to your toolbox by selecting the “Behavior Strategies” tab above and choosing a topic.
• Interested in local training/professional development opportunities?  Select the “Events in WNY” tab above to learn more about upcoming local events.
• Looking for resources you can share with families or coworkers? Select the “Helpful Handouts” tab above to access a growing library of print-ready files.
• Want to learn more about the WNY Behavior Collaboration and its members? Select the “About” tab above.
• Still want to learn more? Check out the “Related Resources” tab to browse related websites.

This site is updated regularly, with new strategies and resources added frequently; please visit again soon!