Early Childhood PBIS

Ohio’s Early Childhood Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) uses the same multi-tiered framework as the school-wide system while honoring the unique needs of the youngest learners from Prekindergarten through grade 3. Ohio’s implementation of Early Childhood PBIS provides a strong foundation for schools and families to support young children in the early stages of developing social emotional skills. PBIS implementation in early childhood settings allows young children to feel safe while at school by proactively designing classroom environments to provide structure, convey expectations, and help children understand daily routines. Family partnerships that build mutual trust, honor family input, and allow for open communication between staff and families is a critical component of the PBIS framework and implementation. 

The PBIS framework focuses on evidence-based interventions and practices that are developmentally appropriate, systems that efficiently and effectively support implementation, data for decision making and continual progress monitoring to ensure outcomes are met.  Early Childhood PBIS and Ohio's Whole Child Framework both focus on creating safe and supportive schools where young children learn best and can thrive.  

Ohio Policy

Students are able to spend more time engaging in learning when they have clear expectations, are regularly acknowledged for the things they do well, and receive instructional consequences more often than exclusionary ones. Ohio law restricts the use of exclusionary discipline practices for pre-kindergarten through grade three students.  Ohio School Discipline and Alternatives to Discipline offer schools resources for ways to reduce exclusionary discipline. The PBIS framework, when implemented with fidelity, is effective in reducing exclusionary discipline practices and office discipline referrals. When a student remains in the classroom and school building, they are more likely to develop a positive sense of belonging and connectedness to the school community.  

The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Young Learner Series

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, in collaboration with the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), developed training modules to support initial and ongoing PBIS training. The PBIS and Young Learners series is focused on implementing the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports framework with young children in early childhood settings through third grade. The series of modules are free, asynchronous, Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA) approved, online training tools designed for administrators, school personnel, families, and community members who support PBIS implementation. 

To learn more about Early Childhood PBIS, the online training modules, or coaching for leadership teams to complement the modules, contact a local regional SST consultant or PBISohio@education.ohio.gov 

Resource Documents

Last Modified: 12/24/2024 8:35:18 AM

---