Using this system works for kindergarten classrooms on many levels. The visual, color-coded nature of the system makes it easily accessible and understandable to 5-year-old children. Positive reinforcement is given when exemplary behavior is observed, which is then brought to the attention of the class. On the other hand, negative behavior is not discussed; the teacher simply changes a misbehaving student’s card lower to yellow or red. Furthermore, the system reinforces the idea that rewards are earned for good behavior, not taken away for negative actions.
Students who have earned blue or green cards will earn a small reward for consistently acting properly throughout the day. Use any small reward usually given to students, such as a sticker, pencil, or five minutes of computer time. Celebrate these small accomplishments openly so the class understands that it wasn’t the teacher’s arbitrary choice to give out a prize; the student earned it. The idea is to constantly point out the causal relationship between behavior and reward: Good deeds and model behavior earn privileges that misbehavior does not.
Students who have not gotten the hint after other children have been repeatedly commended for exemplary behavior will earn yellow, or, in very extreme cases, red cards. However, this does not mean that they can’t earn back green or blue with improved behavior -- but poor behavior needs to be addressed immediately. Look to that same child for consistent model behavior for 10 to 15 minutes after his change to yellow or red, address what has been improved, then move his card back to green. If student behavior does not improve, a note or phone call home might be necessary.
An individual behavior management system may be necessary for students who consistently disrupt the classroom environment. Communication journals between the parent and teacher work very well, as the teacher and student can craft letters to the parent together in order to assess his behavior. The student will take ownership in his writing, and in turn, of his behavior.