A Track is a way to measure a child's progress toward their goals. Well-written Tracks allow villagers to clearly see a child's accomplishments by defining the desired and undesired responses. 

Tracks have three parts:

  • Opportunity. This is the time during a routine situation in which a child uses the undesired behavior.
  • Undesired response. This is the challenging behavior.
  • Desired response. This is the behavior you would like to see.

 

It is often helpful to follow the steps below to write an effective Track:

    1. Define the undesired response. Starting here is usually the simplest since the challenging behavior, such as screaming or throwing themselves to the floor, is usually what most easily comes to mind. Ensure that your definition is specific and can be observed. Instead of writing "reacts inappropriately" say "falls to the floor or yells."
    2. Define the opportunity. Indicate the time or routine situation when someone observes the child's undesired response. This could be when the child loses a board game or when they are told they cannot do something.
    3. Define the desired response. Write the response you would like to see instead, for example, "Stop, breathe, and choose a different activity." Similarly to the undesired response, ensure you are specific enough that the desired response can be adequately distinguished from the undesired response and that the desired response is attainable.

See examples of Tracks here.