Stop, Think, Do! is a program originally designed by Lindy Peterson, a Child, Clinical and Family Psychologist, in the early 90s. It has been adopted by an increasing number of schools in the fight against bullying.
What it addresses:
Impulsivity and that lack of thought about how their actions might effect others is one key factor in the occurence of bullying (as discussed in previous posts). The Stop, Think, Do process helps children visualise and work through the cognitive process that involves:
- Recognising their feelings and controlling their impulses
- Thinking about their choices and the consequences of their actions
- Using appropriate strategies to solve a problem or social conflict.
What Makes it Work?
You can find research on the implementation of this program at www.stopthinkdo.com Some of the key features that make it work for all children, including children with developmental delays or behavioural disorders, are:
- The visual cue: Having an explicit, colour-coded visual cue that does not rely on language or abstract understanding is an essential tool in helping young children and children with executive functioning issues learn social skills. The fact that this cue can be hung around a classroom and/or school as a constant reminder is a good way to prompt children to remember and use the skill they have been taught.
- The simplicity: Simplifying the complex process of social problem-solving into three unique steps again helps children of all abilities and ages in using the skill.
- Explicit Teaching and Modelling: The program itself gives teachers (an families) a platform from which they can discuss and model positive problem-solving skills. This is an essential element of successful social skills programs (as discussed previously).
If you are interested in finding out more …
For Parents: Social Savvy: Helping your child fit in
For Schools: Stop, Think, Do
