Goals, Assessments and Journals

Keeping Track

Most circumstances I have come across reflect children with no long-term vision, goals or direction in life.

Things to look forward to such as field trips or vacations give them a point of reference. We consider them privileges that can be removed.

Goals appear to be most effective on a short-term or day-to-day basis. If you can go the day without fighting with your brother, then… if your homework is done and your room is clean, then…

It seems to be a constant exercise to assess their improvements vs. their problems. When reviewing past weeks, improvements should be evident and probably new problems arising. Hopefully, the new problems are less severe than the old ones.

I did keep a journal with entries made almost everyday on one child that had severe behavior problems so I could go back and refresh my memory on past behavior.