Educative Time-Out Process

An educative time-out process is a way to “decrease and eliminate inappropriate behavior and replace it with appropriate behavior” (Knoff, 2014, p. 1).  Quite often, time-outs are applied inconsistently which makes them ineffective.  In order for a time-out to work, it needs to be a part of the greater behavioral plan, which outlines the identified behaviors that can lead to a time-out.  It also must be applied consistently; students must know what type of behavior leads to a time-out, what the procedure for a time-out is, and how to correct their behavior in order to be allowed out of the time-out.  Many people say that children should be in time-outs for the same amount of minutes as their age, but there is no research to support that concept.  Research supports the use of a time-out for two to three minutes to allow a student time to calm, correct their behavior, and rejoin the group (Knoff, 2014, p. 1-2).  The use of time-out can be very effective in a classroom, but only when implemented with consistency among all teachers in a grade-level or building.

References

Knoff, H. (2014) Module 4, Part 1: Implementing the Educative Time-Out Process

{Presentation} Retrieved from the American College of Education Canvas website: https://ace.instructure.com/courses/1254508/files/49162492?module_item_id=11308743