The Time-Out Process
Teaching preschoolers with disabilities, I've seen my fair share of negative and inappropriate behaviors. One of the behavioral interventions that I implement in my classroom is time-out. However, I don't use the term "time- out." I refer to my designated break area as "safe space." When I have students go to safe space, I am implementing inclusion time-out. This means, I am removing the student from the reinforcement area, but he/she is not being removed from the classroom setting. Despite the controversy and the theories that time-out "doesn't work," in my experience, this type of behavioral intervention has been beneficial and effective in my classroom. Sending students to a designated area to calm down has taught many of my students self-regulation skills. It has also taught my students that the classroom is a safe place for them, and they should feel comfortable to work through their feelings in the educational setting. Many teachers do no...