Let's make a deal - getting the job done

Yesterday I had the task of completing 3 assessments with a 6 year old boy. We only had an hour, so I needed to get it right. On a previous classroom visit I noticed him looking at a book about trains (mental note to self - he likes trains). When I walked in to get him, he was just starting quite a large jigsaw.

Uh-oh, I thought. This could take a while. I suggested we go to do some 'special' work, but he said, 'No, I need to do this jigsaw'. Hmmm, I thought, I need to think of something else. 'Why not bring your jigsaw with you? We can do it together. We could even see if we can find a train to play with.' It worked. He put the pieces back in the box and willingly came along the corridor. We chatted about transport on the way and he relaxed. 

First hurdle tackled successfully.... now for the assessments. Unfortunately, on reaching the room, he wanted to get back to the jigsaw straight away. My rather boring looking assessments just couldn't compete. So what next? Give up? Engage in a battle?

No. I used the 'Let's make a deal' strategy. Quite a verbal little boy, all he needed was a verbal approach (but you can make a it visual for children who learn best that way). 'Let's make a deal,' I said, 'Do 3 pages of my book and then we do 3 pieces of jigsaw, 3 more pages of the book then 3 more pieces of jigsaw,' and I held out my hand to shake on it. It worked! He liked the idea, and for the next 30 minutes we stuck religiously to the deal. He even jumped up after every 3rd jigsaw piece, keen to get on with the assessment. 

Why does this strategy work so well? Well, it allows the child an element of control. He doesn't have to give up what he wants to do completely. It is also quite an adult way of dealing with a situation. We do it all the time with other adults, e.g. 'I'll cook and you can wash up'. Children like to be treated like grown-ups. Another child I know will do anything for the chance to carry my fob and lanyard as it makes him feel special and in charge. We don't always have to be the 'teacher' telling them what to do.

Give it a go and see how you get on. I find it works well for most children, especially those on the autistic spectrum who both love being in control and have a special interest you can use as the deal maker.