Boxfish Trainers and How They Work

Boxfish Trainers and How They WorkBoxfish have been trained to interact with human handlers for many years. They have learned how to open their mouths and speak to the trainer. The boxfish may not eat when it is with a human in order to test the quality of food it can consume. This is known as an olfactory association test.Boxfish and humans are so alike that there are even some dog breeds in which a Boxfish tutor exists. For example, one such Boxfish pup is named 'Fitz', whose real name is Benjamin in France. In her own way, she serves as a Boxfish tutor for human handlers. She learns to open her mouth and speak when the trainer opens the appropriate eye of her handler. When the Boxfish puppy performs this task, she gets a pat on the head and a little food.Boxfish can learn what sounds the human handler wants them to make by means of conditioning and habituation. These methods can be used for a number of different things. When a Boxfish or other fish associate a sound with an electr ical shock, the Boxfish will be conditioned to be fearful of that sound whenever that sound is present.A trainer might teach the Boxfish to associate certain words with a certain color. Then when the trainer teaches these Boxfish to speak, they will be more likely to have the word of the word associated with the color of the word.Using various types of techniques, trainers are able to teach Boxfish to open their mouths and speak. Trainer should be very gentle in training Boxfish to avoid the Boxfish becoming afraid of the trainers or of all humans in general.Boxfish that learning to speak can communicate effectively with trainers. They can express their needs. They can even sing, mimic human speech, and even play.A Boxfish tutor can be quite useful when used properly. Boxfish that learning to speak may be more available to the trainer to use when needed.Boxfish tend to be timid and quiet creatures, so a Boxfish tutor is invaluable for that reason. They can also be trained to do othe r things, such as make a great pet and a good addition to your family.

Successful High School Chemistry News - Important Tips for Looking Online For Online Chemistry News

Successful High School Chemistry News - Important Tips for Looking Online For Online Chemistry NewsIf you want to learn more about the latest chemistry news, there are several useful online resources that can help you learn about the chemistry of water, as well as the periodic table. For instance, if you want to understand the chemistry of water, consider taking a biology class that includes a large amount of introductory chemistry.It is easy to get overwhelmed with the enormity of the Internet. That is why you should find some fun ways to help you stay focused and make learning something exciting. Here are some methods you can use to help you stay connected with the current news about your field.Websites. A list of all the chemistry news stories is definitely going to be overwhelming. However, you can choose a few websites that deal with your topic and add those as favorites. You will also have access to interesting articles and videos on a regular basis that will help you stay up t o date.Newsletters. Another easy way to stay up to date on the latest developments in your field is to subscribe to a newsletter. Many newsletters are written by local science groups that will keep you informed about the latest studies in your area. Plus, it will provide you with the opportunity to participate in discussions related to your field.Online books. Most students take a good many chemistry books with them when they leave school. However, if you want to get all the latest news in your field, you should check out online books that are free. The greatest part about these books is that they are filled with stories and articles you will not be able to find elsewhere.If you feel the need to keep abreast of the latest in your field, it is easy to stay in touch with chemistry news through social media sites. Although there are hundreds of sites on the Internet, it can be difficult to choose the ones that provide high quality content. However, by keeping your eyes open, you will b e able to find a site that features excellent content.Connect with the information you want by utilizing the resources mentioned above. Try to ensure that you are always looking for new things in your field so that you never miss a great story.

4 Benefits of STEM Studies

4 Benefits of STEM Studies Course offerings in STEMscience, technology, engineering, and mathematicshave become much more numerous and varied at the high school level in recent years, and there has been a concerted effort in many parts of the country to increase the influence of STEM studies in high school curricula. Nevertheless, many students who do not plan to study STEM-related subjects in college often enroll in the minimum number of required STEM courses during their high school careers. There are many benefits to students completing STEM classes outside their minimum graduation requirements, and these benefits apply equally to students who plan to major in a STEM field in college and to students who do not. Intellectual challenge One such benefit is the challenge that STEM courses offer. Certain students find classes in engineering, mathematics, science, and technology less difficult than liberal arts offerings, but these students frequently major in a STEM-related field in college. For students who are more naturally inclined toward the liberal arts or social sciences, the challenge of a STEM course can serve as a vehicle to further build their academic skills in all disciplines. Here are some great tips on how to succeed in science and engineering. Preparation for general education requirements In addition to the intellectual benefits that students receive from STEM classes, completing such studies while in high school can assist students with their graduation requirements in college. Most universities require students to participate in at least some STEM education while completing STEM courses in high school may not allow you to forego those requirements, this exposure can better prepare you for succeeding in those general education classes. Better preparation typically results in a better grade, and every improvement to your college GPA can improve your career and graduate school prospects. Employable skills STEM courses can help students build skills that are key to employment, even if their careers are not in a STEM field. STEM offerings, for instance, promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The STEM curriculum teaches students to collaborate in order to discover solutions to complex, multi-step problems, thus building the teamwork skills that so many employers seek in job candidates. It is often the skills developed while working with the materialas opposed to the material itselfthat will benefit students most. You may also want to consider thesegreat reasons why you should have a part time job in college. Variety of offerings Finally, the scope of STEM has expanded greatly in recent years to encompass classes that you may not have thought were available in years past. For instance, subjects such as alternative energy, digital design, and television production are increasingly common. Students who tend to avoid math and science courses would do well to notice the diverse array of offerings now available under the STEM umbrella. Modern high school STEM studies have expanded greatly beyond the standard high school math and science courses that most students already take, and at their advanced levels, these classes provide curricula that do a great deal to promote collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Enrolling in such classes beyond the minimum requirements can help prepare students both for college and for the workplace in a myriad of ways. Students who would otherwise not consider STEM studies should give them a second look as they contemplate their high school course schedules. You may also want to check out the STEAM movement.

Expert Math Tutors Available Now

Expert Math Tutors Available Now 0SHARESShare Math tutoring requires a good attention span, calculative mind and focus on each topic. Tutor pace offers live online math help to students who find it difficult to understand the subject and the students who find it difficult to grasp a particular topic. Most of the times, our online tutors have observed that children lose their attention span or consistency in calculation. A stable attention span and calculative mind are skills that can make a good math student. Our pre-calculus online tutors make it a point to let students have a free-hand at some practice work during the online session. This is necessary because it ensures that the student is in the right frame of mind during the live online math help session. At times, students tend to have a disturbed tempo and our online tutors then advice students to take a break or just play a small online game to rejuvenate them. Once the students are up to the learning methodology then nothing can stop them from having a good live online math help session. Math only gets more and more interesting when students train their mind to adapt with faster understanding of formulas and accuracy in calculations. Every subject requires a thinking methodology and math is no different. Our tutors are experts in teaching students to adapt a calculative thinking methodology and a mind-set to grasp mathematical knowledge at a faster pace. The speed of learning allows students to do 3 things: One is it allows them time to assimilate the subject and two is it also allows them to practice in the remaining additional time and appreciate the subject. [starbox id=admin]

Where to Find Photography Classes in Edinburgh.

Where to Find Photography Classes in Edinburgh. Learn the Art of Photography in Scotland’s Capital. ChaptersThe Benefits of Edinburgh for Learning PhotographyWhy Take Photography Classes?The Best Photography Courses in Edinburgh â€" for Everyone!Let it be said simply and clearly: Edinburgh is an excellent place to do a photography course. It’s not just a good place like any other city in the UK might be, with photography courses all over the place and professional photography studios filling the spaces in between. It is that, but it is also an awful lot more.Edinburgh is a brilliant place to take photography lessons because it is just an incredibly incredibly beautiful place. And why, honestly, would you want to develop your photography skills in a place that isn’t worth photographing?Because whilst studio photography â€" with the likes of food photography, commercial photography, and product photography â€" can bring its own joys, every professional photographer or amateur really wants to get out into the world and capture what they see around them.Learn photography in Belfast too, or join a photography class in Cardiff.All in all, photography school endows you with the combination of two things: knowledge of the techniques and knowledge of the commercial side of things. You’d be silly not to do it.Find where you can take photography lessons in Manchester or Birmingham with Superprof.The Happy Amateur: Why Those Who Take Photos for a Hobby Need a Photography Class.You may well be wondering, then, why people who have no intention of being a professional photographer might want to take a photography class, why people who do it for fun should study it. And sure, we agree: if you are taking a photo just to remember a good party, or a because you saw something silly, maybe there’s no point studying it. But if you are interested in photography as an art, or as something more than just a memento, we encourage you to push yourself in your knowledge and skills â€" because the photos you produce will improve dramatically.A photography class is a bit like a wri ting class, or maybe even like having a fitness instructor. You think that when you go to the gym, you are doing something great: improving your health, getting continuously stronger, developing your cardiovascular system etc. However, after six months, you’ve stopped losing weight, you’re doing the same things every time you go, and the whole thing gets a little dull.This is the same feeling that many amateur painters, artists, and photographers get. They’re in a bit of a rut and don’t really know how to get out of it: the subject of the photos is always the same, you put a nice sepia filter on it, and, fine, it’s a nice enough photo. But you know there is more that you could be getting out of it!And that’s the benefit of a photography teacher. They are there to guide you into new techniques. They can show you how to make the most out of the photos you take, after you have taken them. They can open up a world of different techniques, softwares, subjects, styles, and fee lings. They can make your hobby feel again like it’s enjoyable â€" or prevent it from getting stale before it reaches that point.Find photography courses in Leeds here or learn photography in Glasgow.You too should learn the art of photographyThe Best Photography Courses in Edinburgh â€" for Everyone!As we said, Edinburgh is a great place to learn the ins and outs of photography. And the final reason for that is that it is full of schools, workshops, and photographers to teach you!Here we list some of the best options for learning photography in Edinburgh.Start a Photography Degree at the University of Edinburgh.Let’s start ambitious. The University of Edinburgh is the best place in the city â€" and in Scotland â€" to go if you are serious about taking your photography to the next level, technically, theoretically, and professionally. With the Edinburgh College of Art, you’ll get some proper training in the art and business of photography: from the traditional equipment to the commercial aspects of selling or exhibiting your work, this course will get you prepared for a career in the field.The degree is a BA â€" and you’ll be studying it full-time for four years. You can take a year abroad too, before advancing into postgrad photography or into the field.Take a Photography Course at the Edinburgh Photography Workshop.The Edinburgh Photography Workshop is based down in Bonnington. It’s run by a bloke called Rich Dyson, a professional photography who has had his work published in some of the major publications in the UK. He’s also a teacher â€" surprise, surprise â€" and offers a range of different classes from his studio (and outside of it!).Take a course in digital photography or with a traditional camera, specialise in night photography, or travel to find the perfect locations for your landscape photography. He’ll help you out with it all.Find a Private Photography Tutor at Superprof.All group classes have their limitations. You need to fit into other people’s schedules, you might not get the attention that you need to develop to the fullest, and you might have to sling it across town to get to where you need to be.With a private tutor, none of this really applies. Private tuition flexes around your timetable and location â€" and the tutors themselves attend only to you, what you want to learn, and your personal skill level.At Superprof, we host over seven million tutors worldwide, in over a thousand subjects. One of them, luckily enough, is photography. Our photography tutors in Edinburgh charge an average of £25 an hour â€" and they can get you taking shots you're proud of in no time.Learn to take photos in a studio too - Edinburgh has plenty.

Should Parents Observe During Voice Lessons

Should Parents Observe During Voice Lessons Suzy S. Should you sit in on your kids singing lessons? Here,  Hayward, CA teacher  Molly R.  tackles the commonly asked question When parents sign their child up for voice lessons, naturally they want to be sure of a few key things: Does the teacher know what he or she is doing? Is the teacher a good match for my child? Is my child making progress? One of the easiest ways to be sure of all this is to observe a lesson and see for yourself, of course. However, this may not always be the best route for a few reasons although some situations are certainly different. The following is what I have found works best for me in my voice studio. At the First Lesson I always welcome parents to sit in on their childs first singing lesson! This way they know what I am about and what they are paying for. It’s tough to start singing for someone that you have never met, and having Mom or Dad there can be a bonus. For some kids, singing comes naturally at lesson number one, though, and they may prefer their parent NOT be there! I let the parent and child decide among themselves in this instance. After the First Lesson Going forward, I prefer students attend lessons on their own. The reason why many voice teachers prefer to work one on one with students is because it’s likely the young student will not open up to the teacher with two adults in the room. That can be stressful and take the fun out of singing! Not only that, some parents have the tendency to play armchair critic when it is solely the teacher’s job to offer vocal advice during lesson time. It is crucial that parents be respectful of the teacher and do not overstep their boundaries. Naturally there are unique situations to consider. For example, I work with some very young (six and under) students, and having a parent in the room is very helpful to get them to focus and also to encourage them. There may also be times when a young student has physical or mental limitations, and having a parent there is necessary. My Studio Policies I’ve found that it’s good to retain some flexibility, but to remain firm about general studio policies, and this certainly includes who can attend voice lessons. As long as you remain open and consistent with communication, I have found that parents are fine with my arrangement. They can measure their kids singing progress in other ways (practice time, performances, etc.). To find the best teacher for your child, you may need to sit in on a few voice lessons… and ask a lot of questions! You will find that the time spent doing this is well worth it once your child gains skills and confidence as a singer. Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013. Learn more about Molly  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by CaseyLessard

What is Traditional Middle Eastern Food

What is Traditional Middle Eastern Food What is Middle Eastern Cuisine? ChaptersHistory of the Mediterranean DietRegional Differences: from Tabbouleh to DolmaWhat a Middle Eastern Main Dish Looks Like Around the WorldMiddle Eastern Recipes You Can Make at HomeWhile many innovations from the Arabian peninsula dominate our lives today, from the numbers we use to the politics we hear, food originating in the Middle East has also found its way to dinner plates worldwide. While knowledge of Middle Eastern food tends to be limited to shish kebab, or kofta kebab, and other popular street food like falafel, Mediterranean cuisine has many more complex and delicious flavours to offer.From rose water deserts to lemony stews, this guide will offer you an insight into everything from the components that make up the Middle Eastern kitchen to some easy recipes you can try at home.Middle Eastern restaurants are great for vegetarians and meat eaters alike GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st less on free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHistory of the Mediterranean DietAs with all things food and territory related, what is considered to be a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean is and will always be contested. While you may have tried some generic Middle Eastern style lentils or bulgur, there are a host of subtle differences within what we generalize as the “Middle Eastern” or “Mediterranean” diet. As Leila Hudson form the University of Arizona points out in one of her studies, the term “Mediterranean” is used in western countries more as a marketing tool than anything else.However, because of the region’s shared history in all aspects of war, love, politics and culture, we can start understanding the Mediterranean diet by looking at the generalization made by a study done at the University of Sydney, which states that typically, “the Mediterranean diet is less processed compared to western diets as it is based on whole foods.”Looking at the history of religion in the region alone, there are certain foods and dishes that have been favoured over time simply because they were allowed in many rites of abstinence, fasting or penitence including Lent, Shabbat or Ramadan.Focusing on prehistoric farming,   wheat was a staple in the Mediterranean region â€" spanning from countries like Morocco and Italy to Egypt and Syria. In fact, because of shared agricultural history, many foods in the Mediterranean basin region also share staple dishes like flatbread, pine nuts, and skewered meat. In addition, whether you’re look ing at Lebanese, Turkish or Yemeni cuisine, the Middle Eastern diet favours using olive oil over other types of fats.The groundwork for this famous cuisine can also be seen to have been laid out all throughout ancient history, from the Phoenicians and Romans to the Andalusians of Spain and the Byzantine empire. It can be generalized, however, in the Ottoman Empire, which brought a diverse group of people under one rule: Kurdish, Greek, Turkish, Arab, Armenian peoples as well as those in the Balkan region and the Sephardic Jews that had been driven out by the Spanish Inquisition.During Ottoman rule, those who definitely didn’t have the globalized palate we have today began to eat things like Persian rice, Arabic fava beans, and Armenian chickpea dishes for the first time. Turkey, on the other hand, contributed dishes like dolma, or stuffed vegetables, kebab, yogurt and yogurt sauce.Find the best cooking courses London on Superprof.Middle Eastern food, while known for its delicious meat based dishes, also includes a very wide variety of vegetarian dishes â€" many of which we enjoy on a daily basis like hummus, baba ghanoush or tahini sauce.Condiments on falafel include tzatziki sauce, feta cheese and hummusRegional Differences: from Tabbouleh to DolmaRegional differences within the Middle East can mean many different things. For example, dishes such as hummus and falafel tend are pretty standardized when it comes to their preparation. Both of these dishes are chickpea-based, involve similar spices, and can actually be varied by the inclusion of fava beans.Similarly, dishes like kebab, or kabob and fattoush tend to be made without much variation from country to country. The dishes mentioned can actually form part of what is commonly referred to as the mezze, or meze, which is an assorted platter of appetizers that can also include pitta bread, or pita bread, baba ghanoush, za atar or zaatar, stuffed grape leaves, known as warak enab or dolma, and more.While the re are many different combinations and slight variations amongst Middle Eastern countries, from how they prepare shawarma to what they include in baklava, there are also different dishes that have arisen simply because of differences between resources and cultures.For example, while Iranians tend to follow a rice-based diet, countries like Libya and Egypt eat cereals like couscous. In contrast, ingredients like lentils, eggplant, yogurt and chickpeas are widely used in all Middle Eastern countries.Lentil soup, for example, is typical of Kuwait, Iran, Afghanistan and Yemen. The differences can be found in how they spice their dish, whether they include meats such as lamb, or the herbs they use.Shawarma is another dish that makes the case for how Middle Eastern countries have adapted standard dishes to their diet and culture. While shawarma is based on the doner kebab in Turkey, it is essentially cooked in the same manner: by slowly roasting skewered meat, spices and vegetables on a s pit and then shaving it off. While this kind of preparation is typically done using meats like lamb, chicken and beef, Israel is known for its adaptation using turkey.Baba ghanoush, or baba ghanouj, is another dish that has taken on different iterations throughout the Middle East. While the recipe can sound standard at first, involving a puree of grilled aubergines and spices, different countries have made their own versions of the popular dish. In Libya, for example, mtabal is like baba ghanoush, but whose preparation involves dicing the aubergine instead of pureeing it.While there are many standard side dishes, like pitta chips, or pita chips, and widely used herbs and sauces like parsley and tahini, Middle Eastern countries all have their own, unique spin on dishes we might think of as homogeneous.What a Middle Eastern Main Dish Looks Like Around the WorldWhether you’re used to treating yourself with delectable baklava, a pistachio based desert, or are addicted to Turkish coffe e, there are actually a countless number of ways in which Mediterranean dishes have been adapted around the world.In the past decades, there has been an explosion of Middle Eastern restaurants not just in the UK but also abroad. With its high degree of versatility and wide range of flavours â€" from dishes including stuffed vegetables, shish kebab, spiced figs and pistachios â€" it’s not hard to see why this cuisine is becoming so popular.One region that is likely to have the most similarities with the Mediterranean or Middle Eastern diet is Asia. Looking at the history of movement and civilization on the world arena, it’s not hard to see why. Whether it be because of a shared, passed trade history or through a shared religion, the Middle East and Asia have actually developed some of the same dishes.While you’re unlikely to find it at a Middle Eastern restaurant, Indian chicken biryani can actually find it’s variation in Iraq. While biryani is a dish whose origins can be tra ced back to the Muslim communities in India, it is also a traditional dish that became especially popular in the Kurdish regions of Iraq.While the standard recipe for Indian biryani includes basmati rice, mint leaves, cardamom and coriander â€" Iraqi biryani uses basmati rice as well as vermicelli noodles, turmeric and carrots.Freshly ground coriander goes great with warm pitta, or pitaMiddle Eastern Recipes You Can Make at HomeMost people wait until they have time to go to a Middle Eastern restaurant to enjoy the flavours of Egyptian, Yemeni or Lebanese cuisine. Just like you don’t have to travel all the way to Beirut to be able to taste great kibbeh, a great option for eating dishes from the Middle East is to simply cook them yourself.While much of Middle Eastern food does include ingredients like minced or ground meat or meat skewers, there are also a host of traditional dishes that are vegetarian or vegan, such as rice pilaf, burghul and labneh. Here are some traditional, easy Middle Eastern recipes to try at home.Manakish ZaatarThere’s a lot of die-hard lovers of pittas, or pitas, who have never had the chance to try some Manakish. While all flatbread is delicious  and especially useful as an easy vegetarian snack, manakish also makes for the perfect side dish to dishes like soups, kofta kebab, or kafta kebab, and more.While you can make manakish from scratch, you can also make it using store bought pita. The only thing you’ll need to buy for them is zaatar, which is made up of sumac, thyme, oregano, sesame seeds and salt. While this typical Levantine dish is usually eaten in the morning, feel free to make it whenever the craving strikes or to adapt it to the spices you’ve got in your kitchen, like paprika and cumin.Ingredients:Flatbread (like pitta)ZaatarOlive oilDirections:To make at least 8, 7 inch flatbreads, make sure you combine about 200 grams of zaatar to 115 millilitres of oil. After mixing these ingredients in a bowl, adding more or less zaatar as needed, pour about 15 millilitres of the zaatar and oil mix onto your pitas, cooking them in the oven as directed on the package you’ve bought them from.For some more recipes to make at home, check out these top dishes.

Solve Math Problems

Solve Math Problems Math has many branches and sub branches. Algebra is one of the most important and prominent branches of mathematics. The study of algebra consists of solving for the known and unknown variables. Algebraic equations contains numbers, constants, known and unknown variables, exponents to the variables. There are different mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division used to solve the equations according to the requirement. Example 1: Simplify and solve for x in the equation 6 x + 5 = 35? Solution: Given equation is 6 x + 5 = 35. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is x. First step: Subtract 5 on both sides of the given equation. (6 x + 5) - 5 = 35 - 5. This gives 6 x = 30. Now dividing both sided of the equation by 6.That is 6 x/ 6 = 30 / 6. This reduces the given equation to x = 5. Hence the solution is x = 5. Example 2: Solve the equation 12(x 3) - 2(x + 2) at x = 4? Solution: Given equation is 12 (x 3) - 2 (x + 2). Here the variable is x; distributing the number in front of the braces. This gives 12 (x - 3) = 12 x 36; 2 (x + 2) = 2 x + 4. Combining the similar terms in the equation. This gives 12x 36 - 2x - 4 = 10x 40. Substitute x = 4; 10(4) 40 = 0 Hence the solution is 0.

Creating Home Behavior Charts that Actually Work!

Creating Home Behavior Charts that Actually Work! If you have a child with ADHD, then chances are youve tried using a behavior chart with him or her at home. They are one of the first tools parents turn to when their child has difficulty following through on everyday tasks or needs extra support to manage behavior. Behavior charts are a key tool in evidence-based interventions for ADHD at home and at school. Yet despite the evidence, many parents say that when theyve tried behavior charts in the past they havent worked for their child. If research shows that behavior charts are effective, then why does it seem like so many kids with ADHD dont respond to them? Usually its because the charts werent designed with ADHD in mind. Kids with ADHD need systems in place that specifically help them overcome their difficulties with motivation, organization, and completing complex tasks. As a result, special attention needs to be given to the types of behavior goals that are included in behavior charts and the way that rewards are selected and provided when a child achieves his or her goals. The good news is that by following a few key guidelines, you can create behavior charts that will work for your child! Behavior Chart Guidelines Write clear and positive behavior goals. Your chart should communicate to your child exactly what it is that he or she needs to do to achieve his or her goals. Always write the goals in a way that tells your child what to do rather than what not to do. For example, Sit down at the table and start your homework at 4:15, is a much more effective goal than, Dont put off doing your homework when you come home from school. The first goal sets your child up for success by telling him or her what to do and when to do it. Focus on behaviors that happen consistently and routinely. The most successful behavior charts are those that focus on routine behaviors things that occur at roughly the same time and in the same order every day. Why? Because these behaviors can be easily tracked, expectations around how and when they should be completed are clear, and they can eventually turn into habits that dont require a behavior chart at all. Morning routines, evening routines, homework routines, and even mealtime routines are great targets for behavior charts. Behaviors that occur randomly outside of these routine times, like whining or arguing with siblings, are less appropriate targets and are less likely to improve with a behavior chart. Choose other strategies for these non-routine behaviors. Break complex tasks down into smaller goals. Very often I see behavior charts that include goals like Finish Homework or Get Ready for School on Time. As an adult we may look at these goals and think they are perfectly reasonable. After all, they describe exactly what you want your child to do! The problem is that for kids with ADHD, each of these goals actually represents a complex series of smaller tasks. So, if you list Get Ready for School on Time on your childs behavior chart, there is a good chance that you will find your child forgetting to do at least two or three important things in the morning, and if he or she is ready for school on time it will only be because you provided multiple reminders or completed some of the tasks for him or her. To set your child up for success, break complex tasks down into the smaller steps that need to be completed each day and post the list in a place where it is visible to your child. A typical Get Ready for School on Time goal for a child w ith ADHD should be listed as 4 or 5 separate behavior goals representing each of the activities included in his or her typical morning routine. Choose goals that are within your childs reach. Create behavior goals that you think your child could achieve at least 80% of the time. Goals should aim to stretch your child from the point he or she is at right now, while still being within your childs reach. This might mean that you focus on intermediate behavior goals that are a step in the right direction, rather than the ultimate end goals that you want your child to achieve. For example, if you want your child to wake up on his or her own with an alarm clock, but he or she has never (or rarely) done this successfully in the past, then this behavior may be out of reach right now. A more appropriate goal would be to have your child get out of bed after you wake them up and provide just one reminder. When your child has mastered this goal, you can drop the reminder. Once your child is out of bed consistently right after you wake him or her up, then you can adjust the goal further and expect him or her to wake up independently when the alarm clock goes off in the morning. Include no more than 5 behavior goals on the chart. Most kids can handle only 5 behavior goals on a single chart. This can be challenging for parents, especially when there are so many areas where youd like to see your child improve. Start by focusing on the highest priority behaviors first. You can add new goals once your child has mastered the initial list. While its best to start out with a single behavior chart, you can eventually create different charts for different times of the day. For example, your child can have a morning routine chart and a homework chart. This helps keep any single list from becoming too overwhelming. Provide consistent and frequent rewards that your child finds motivating. In behavior charts, rewards are just as important as behavior goals especially for kids with ADHD who often struggle with motivation. It is important to provide rewards daily, since kids with ADHD struggle to maintain motivation when rewards are delayed (although some kids ages 10 and up can handle larger delayed rewards). In general, the more immediate the reward the better. Rewards also need to be provided consistently when your child meets his or her goal, and rewards should never be given when they have not been earned. Always involve your child in creating a list of possible rewards ahead of time. This will ensure that the reward options include things that your child truly finds motivating. Since kids interests change so often, you should check in with your child frequently to make sure he or she is still interested in the rewards they are working to earn. There are many reasons why a behavior chart may not have worked in the past, but that doesnt mean that a behavior chart will never be a success with your child. In fact, I have yet to work with a child who has ADHD and did not respond to a well-designed behavior chart! Its all about following a few key principles of behavior chart design and adjusting the chart over time to match your childs unique needs. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.