Can you start 1-2-3 Magic in the classroom at any time of the year?
Yes. Although its easier to begin in September, you can start the program pretty much anytime you want. It will take about two weeks or so to get the children oriented to the new regime. Dont forget to let the parents know whats going on, too!
How does a teacher keep track of which students are on what counts?
This task is not as daunting as it may first appear, since in most regular ed classes on an average day most children do not receive any counts at all. But there are many ways to keep track. One is to keep a small pad of paper by your side. A count of 1 for a child results in his name being written down. A count of 2 is recorded with a check after the name, and the same thing is done for 3. Another teacher favorite is a behavior stoplight, where the green light is 1, yellow is 2, and red is 3. Clothespins with each students name on them can then be attached, as needed, to the appropriate count.
If a student in my class gets a count of 1, does nothing wrong for the next 90 minutes, and then misbehaves again, does he get another 1 count or a 2?
For most classes first grade and older, counts can be accumulated up to three during the entire morning and the entire afternoon. Most teachers erase any morning counts at lunchtime and then start over in the afternoon. So if a child got a 1 count at 9:15 a.m., then did something else wrong 90 minutes later at 10:45 a.m., he would get a 2. If the 90 minutes of good behavior included lunchtime, however, the second incident of misbehavior would be a count of 1 again.
Can 1-2-3 Magic help kids with learning disabilities (LD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
It certainly can. In fact, when parents or teachers have children with these problems 1-2-3 Magic may be necessary to preserve the sanity of everyone! The clarity of the 1-2-3 warnings, for example, is especially helpful for ADHD kids, and their dual mode (visual and auditory) presentation also helps LD youngsters get the message.
Does the 1-2-3 Magic program work with special needs kids at home and in the classroom?
Yes, the 1-2-3 Magic program works well with most children. Special needs kids simply need the program more! Teachers use it in special education classes and parents use it at home with youngsters who carry a range of diagnoses. 1-2-3 Magic has also been used successfully in inpatient psychiatric settings. The chief requirement for a child to respond to the 1-2-3 is that the youngster have a mental age of at least two. And the reason 1-2-3 Magic is used with so many different types of children is this: No matter what kind of problem a child has, managing the childs difficult behavior and encouraging positive behavior are always major goals of the kids caretakers
Will 1-2-3 Magic work with young people with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder, especially Asperger's Syndrome?
The 1-2-3 Magic program has been used successfully with autistic children and Aspergers kids. In addition, however, these children usually need more intensive and specialized training to help them develop reciprocal social interactions and language skills.
