Educative Time-Out

 A controversial topic in educational psychology and classroom management is the concept of a time-out. While most people envision a time out as a student sitting alone in a dark corner, facing the wall, with their head down in depression and embarrassment, that is not the purpose of procedure of an educational time-out in 2022. 

In the classroom, the purpose of a time-out is to remove a student from an environment that is reinforcing their negative behaviors and allow them a space to recenter themselves without the reinforcers. During this time, they will have the opportunity to calm down, and self-assess their current situation and behavior. This time-out can be within the classroom, out outside of the classroom.

When implemented effectively and appropriately, time-outs are significantly beneficial at eliminating numerous challenging behaviors. Next time your child comes home explaining the time-out process for his classroom, instead of picturing that student with his nose against the wall in the corner sulking in embarrassment and despair, have an open mind and reach out to the teacher for clarification on what the process is, and the scientific research that backs her decision. You may be surprised what you find out.