Lesson Plan
Showtime: Putting Your Plan Into Action (and Sticking With It!)
Parents will be able to identify at least two potential obstacles to implementing their plan and brainstorm strategies to overcome them using supportive statements.
Successfully implementing a plan requires anticipating challenges and having strategies to overcome them. This lesson equips parents with the tools to troubleshoot common problems, fostering consistency and long-term success in their parenting strategies.
Audience
Parents
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, scenario-based problem-solving, and practical application.
Materials
Are You Ready? Warm Up (activity-1), Launching the Plan Slides (launching-the-plan-slides), My Weekly Tracker (my-weekly-tracker), "What If?" Scenarios Game (what-if-scenarios-game), and Cool Down: Sticking With It! (cool-down-1)
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Showtime: Putting Your Plan Into Action (and Sticking With It!) Lesson Plan thoroughly.
- Familiarize yourself with the Launching the Plan Slides content and teacher notes.
- Print copies of the My Weekly Tracker worksheet for each parent.
- Prepare the materials for the "What If?" Scenarios Game.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Are You Ready?
5 minutes
Begin with the Are You Ready? Warm Up activity to gauge parents' current feelings about their plans.
Step 2
Reviewing the Action Plan
10 minutes
Use the Launching the Plan Slides (Slides 1-3) to briefly review the key components of a well-formed action plan.
Step 3
Troubleshooting Common Problems
15 minutes
Utilize Launching the Plan Slides (Slides 4-7) to facilitate a discussion on common obstacles parents might face. Introduce the concept of an 'extinction burst'.
Step 4
The "Resist and Support" Model
15 minutes
Introduce the "Resist and Support" model using Launching the Plan Slides (Slides 8-10). Engage parents in the "What If?" Scenarios Game to practice applying this model.
Step 5
Documenting Progress
10 minutes
Distribute the My Weekly Tracker and explain its use. Encourage parents to set a realistic goal for tracking their progress. Use Launching the Plan Slides (Slide 11).
Step 6
Cool Down: Sticking With It!
5 minutes
Conclude the session with the Cool Down: Sticking With It! activity to encourage reflection and commitment.
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Slide Deck
Ready, Set, Go! Launching Your Plan
You've crafted your plan... now what?
- Reviewing your Action Plan
- Anticipating challenges
- Building Consistency
- Problem-Solving together!
Welcome parents and set a positive tone. Briefly recap the previous session where they created their action plans. Emphasize that implementation is the next crucial step.
Your Action Plan: A Quick Check-in
What makes a good plan?
- Clear, positive language
- Specific behaviors
- Realistic expectations
- Consistent responses
Ask parents to briefly reflect on the key elements of their action plans. What did they include? Why are these elements important? (e.g., specific behaviors, positive phrasing, clear consequences).
From Paper to Practice: The Reality Check
Implementing your plan might bring surprises!
- It's okay for things to get a little tricky.
- Being prepared helps you stick with it.
- Let's talk about what to expect.
Transition to the idea that even the best plans can encounter bumps. Acknowledge that this is normal and part of the process. Encourage a proactive mindset.
Obstacle Course: What Might Get In The Way?
Common challenges parents face:
- Child's resistance (pushback, testing limits)
- Feeling tired or overwhelmed
- Inconsistency between caregivers
- Unexpected events
Introduce the idea of obstacles. Ask parents to share any initial concerns they have about putting their plans into action. Brainstorm common challenges together.
The 'Extinction Burst': Expect the Unexpected
What is an Extinction Burst?
- When a behavior gets worse before it gets better.
- It's a child's last attempt to get what they want.
- Crucial: This means your plan is working!
- Think of it like a toddler trying really hard to get a cookie after you've said no ten times. They might even escalate their demands!
Explain the concept of an "Extinction Burst" in simple terms. Provide an example (e.g., a child throwing a bigger tantrum when a parent stops giving in to smaller ones). Emphasize that this is a sign the plan is working, not failing.
Riding the Wave: How to Handle an Extinction Burst
Your super-parent strategies:
- Stay calm and consistent.
- Reaffirm your boundaries gently.
- Offer comfort and connection after the burst subsides.
- Remember it's a temporary phase.
Discuss strategies for managing an extinction burst. Highlight the importance of staying calm, consistent, and supportive during these times. Reiterate that it's temporary.
The 'Resist and Support' Model
Kids will test boundaries. It's their job!
- Resist: Acknowledging the child's pushback or negative reaction to the new plan.
- Support: Providing empathy, understanding, and consistent follow-through on the plan.
Transition to the "Resist and Support" model. Explain that children will naturally resist changes, but parents can provide support to help them adjust. This ties into problem-solving.
Part 1: 'Resist' - Acknowledging Their Feelings
What does 'Resist' mean?
- It means your child is showing they don't like the new rule or consequence.
- Examples: crying, complaining, saying "That's not fair!"
- Your job: Recognize their feelings, but don't back down on the plan.
Elaborate on the "Resist" aspect. It's not about giving in, but about recognizing the child's feelings. Give examples of what resistance might look like (whining, defiance).
Part 2: 'Support' - Guiding Them Through
What does 'Support' mean?
- Being empathetic: "I know you're upset about not having screen time right now."
- Being firm: "And our rule is no screens before homework is done."
- Being helpful: "How about we read a book together instead?"
- It's about helping them adjust to the new reality.
Explain the "Support" aspect. This is where active problem-solving and positive reinforcement come in. Give examples of supportive statements that reinforce the plan.
Practice Time: "What If?" Scenarios Game
Let's try it out!
- Work in small groups.
- Read the scenario.
- Discuss how you would 'Resist' their behavior.
- Brainstorm how you would 'Support' them through it.
- Remember: empathy + consistency!
Introduce the "What If?" Scenarios Game here to give parents a chance to practice applying the 'Resist and Support' model to various situations.
Tracking Your Triumph: Documenting Progress
Why track?
- See how far you've come!
- Identify what's working (and what's not).
- Stay motivated and consistent.
- The My Weekly Tracker will help you!
Introduce the concept of documenting progress using the "My Weekly Tracker." Emphasize that tracking helps them see patterns, celebrate small wins, and stay motivated. Encourage them to share their experiences in the next session.
Worksheet
My Weekly Tracker: Putting Your Plan into Action!
Parent/Caregiver Name:
Child(ren)'s Name(s):
My Action Plan Goal/Target Behavior: (What specific behavior are you working on with your child?)
Week of: __________
Use the chart below to track your progress each day. Mark a check (✓) if you consistently applied your plan, or an 'X' if you struggled. Add a quick note in the observations column.
| Day | Applied Plan (✓/X) | Observations & Notes (What happened? How did it feel?) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | ||
| Tuesday | ||
| Wednesday | ||
| Thursday | ||
| Friday | ||
| Saturday | ||
| Sunday |
Reflection at the end of the week:
- What went well this week in implementing your plan? What successes did you notice (big or small)?
- What challenges did you face? Were there any "extinction bursts"? How did you respond?
- How did using the "Resist and Support" model help you navigate any difficulties?
- What is one thing you will continue to do or try differently next week?
Game
"What If?" Scenarios Game: Resist and Support!
Goal: Practice applying the "Resist and Support" model to common parenting challenges.
Instructions:
- Divide into small groups (2-3 parents per group).
- Read each scenario aloud.
- As a group, discuss:
- What is the child resisting (their behavior, their words)?
- How would you resist the urge to give in or escalate?
- What specific, empathetic, and firm statements would you use to support your child while maintaining your plan?
- Brainstorm alternative activities or helpful actions you could offer.
- Be prepared to share your strategies with the larger group!
Scenario 1: The Screen Time Struggle
It's Tuesday evening, and your child (8 years old) has just finished dinner. Your plan states, "No screen time before homework is completely finished." Your child whines, "But all my friends get to play games now! My homework is SO boring! Can't I just have 10 minutes? Please!"
- Resist: (Child's behavior/words and your internal response)
- Support: (Your empathetic and firm response)
Scenario 2: Bedtime Battles
It's 8:30 PM, and your 5-year-old is supposed to be in bed. Your plan includes a consistent bedtime routine. After reading stories, your child keeps popping out of bed, asking for water, another hug, to tell you one more thing, saying, "I'm not tired!"
- Resist: (Child's behavior/words and your internal response)
- Support: (Your empathetic and firm response)
Scenario 3: The Homework Huddle
Your 10-year-old has a math worksheet that they find very challenging. Your plan states that homework should be completed before playtime. They throw their pencil down and exclaim, "This is too hard! I hate math! I can't do it! I'm just going to stop!" and start to tear up.
- Resist: (Child's behavior/words and your internal response)
- Support: (Your empathetic and firm response)
Scenario 4: Toy Turmoil
Your two children (ages 6 and 4) are fighting over a toy, even though your plan outlines sharing rules and taking turns. The 6-year-old grabs it from the 4-year-old, who then screams and hits their sibling. Both are now crying loudly.
- Resist: (Children's behavior/words and your internal response)
- Support: (Your empathetic and firm response)
Activity
Are You Ready? Warm Up!
Instructions:
Take a moment to think about the action plan you created in our last session.
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being "Not ready at all" and 5 being "Totally ready to go!", how prepared do you feel to start implementing your plan this week?
Circle your number:
1 2 3 4 5
Quick Share: Turn to a partner and briefly explain why you chose your number. What makes you feel ready, or what makes you feel a little hesitant?
Teacher Note: Encourage a few volunteers to share with the whole group. This is a low-stakes way to gauge the room and address any immediate anxieties.
Cool Down
Cool Down: Sticking With It!
Instructions:
Take a few minutes to reflect on today's session. Your responses will help both you and me understand your takeaways.
- What is one new strategy or idea you learned today that you will try to use when implementing your action plan?
- Thinking about potential challenges, what is one supportive statement you can use with yourself or your child to help you stick with it?
- On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel now about managing obstacles and staying consistent with your plan?
1 2 3 4 5
Why did you choose this number?
Thank you for your hard work and dedication!