Re: Gun play in the classroom

From: Mary Louise Hemmeter
Email: ml.hemmeter@vanderbilt.edu
Date: May 24, 2006

Comments

Hi Linda:

It sounds like you are doing lot of the right things. Assuming he can understand, I would have a very direct discussion with him. One of the problems with relying too heavily on redirection is that children don't learn why behaviors are not acceptable. This is a good strategy for young children who cognitively might not understand the rationale, but this child seems old enough to understand why it is not acceptable. I would set up a contingency system for him where he gets access to a favorite toy or activity contingent on NOT engaging in the gun behavior for a specific length of time. You can fade that system over time.

Mary Louise