Design the Environment to Limit Challenging Behaviors

Step 1: Observe and Chart Challenging Behaviors

For this assignment, you will observe children and record any challenging behaviors. Observations can take place in many environments such as the program in which you work, your home with your own children, a nearby park, or a local school. Observe the environment and children for a minimum of one hour to gain an accurate understanding of the space.

You may choose your own observation tool to use (such as a running record or floor plan of the environment with anecdotal notes) or modify the behavior charting plan template below.

Example behavior charting plan

Step 2: Write a Written Reflection

Based upon your findings from your observation, summarize the environment’s quality and your observation experience in a minimum of 2 full pages. Your reflection should include the following:

• Explain the environment you observed.
• Briefly describe the children’s age and the group size.
• Identify any trends you noticed in challenging behavior patterns and where these behaviors occurred.
• Identify at least one environmental change that you will be making based on your observation.
• Identify the intended outcome of this change (that is, what you hope will happen by making this change).

Submit both your completed observation tool and your summary.