Behavior shaping kit

• US 7,699,614 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kristen L. Thurman
• Original Assignee: Kristen L. Thurman
• Inventors: Thurman, Kristen L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, BENA B
• Application Number:
  US10/236,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20040048229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,780 Days
• Field of Search: 434236-238, 434/258, 434/247, 434/433, 434/308, 434/309, 206/223, 206/575, 206/576, 206/579, 446/75, 446/73
• US Class Current: 434/237
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26

Abstract

A behavior shaping kit includes at least one time-out defining device, at least one timer, a plurality of stickers having prohibitory indicia marked thereon, training devices for a caregiver, a plurality of stop signs, and craft tools. The caregiver affixes stickers having prohibitory indicia marked thereon, to items in the house with which the child should not come into contact. When a child does come into contact with these items, the child is immediately placed in a time-out area which is defined by a time-out defining device. A time-out defining device serves to restrict movement of the child from place to place.

Claims

1. A method for shaping behavior of a child, comprising the steps of:

affixing prohibitory indicia to two or more items in a house to designate items the child should stay away from;

providing a time-out area, said time-out area not being an area in which the child can engage in play or recreational activities; and

displaying stop signs at various locations in the house for reminding child and caregiver to stop and think before acting.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of confining the child in said time-out area for a predetermined duration in response to the child'"'"'s failure to comply with the prohibitory indicia.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the child is confined by a child'"'"'s leash or tether, said time-out area being the area accessible to the child once confined by said leash or tether.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said time-out area is defined by a collapsible fence, the area inside the perimeter of said fence comprising said time-out area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said time-out area is any area identified by an identifying placard.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the child is confined in a time-out area for a duration of one minute for each year of the child'"'"'s age.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said duration is measured by a timer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said timer is an automatic timer or an egg timer.

9. The method of claim 1, further wherein the caregiver utilizes craft tools to prepare graphics which symbolize goals and values desirable to the caregiver.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

devising a tangible contractual instrument which defines goals, values, rewards for exceeding expectations, misbehavior, and consequences for misbehavior as agreed upon by both a caregiver and the child;

preparing graphics to symbolize values and goals defined in said contractual instrument; and

displaying said graphics at various locations in the house.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the prohibitory indicia comprises stickers.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the prohibitory indicia are placed on items outside the time-out area.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the prohibitory indicia are placed on items that do not define the time-out area.