Individual Practice SWES Practice Test

What does the method of placing a disruptive child away from activities for a short period exemplify?

1. A behavioral contract

2. A time-out strategy

3. A disciplinary technique

4. A rest period

The correct answer is: A time-out strategy

The method of placing a disruptive child away from activities for a short period exemplifies a time-out strategy. This approach involves temporarily removing the child from a situation where they are misbehaving to help them cool down and reflect on their behavior. The purpose of a time-out is to interrupt the negative behavior and provide the child with a moment to regain self-control. Time-outs are particularly effective when they are used consistently and fairly, allowing the child to understand the consequences of their actions. The child learns to associate the time-out with their disruptive behavior, which can help reduce such behaviors in the future. While other strategies such as behavioral contracts, disciplinary techniques, or rest periods can involve different methodologies and purposes, a time-out specifically focuses on immediate behavioral correction by creating a pause in the child’s engagement with the disruptive activity. This clear distinction is crucial in understanding why time-out is the appropriate classification for this method.