TIME OUT

By Ritika Sen
 What is Time out
History
Agenda Types of time out
Do’s and Don'ts
Introduction
1. A technique, originating from behavior therapy, in which undesirable

behavior is weakened and its occurrence decreased, typically by moving

the individual away from the area that is reinforcing the behavior. The

technique is used by teachers in schools and by parents to decrease

undesirable behavior in a child. Also called time out from reinforcement.

2. In operant conditioning, a time interval during which a behavior does

not occur. A time-out procedure may be used to eliminate the stimulus

effects of earlier behaviors or as a marker in a series of events.

HISTORY
• Concept of timeout was invented . named and used by Arthur Stats.

• Stats described the discipline of his 2 year old daughter 1962: “I would

put her in her crib and indicate that she had to stay there until she

stopped crying. If we were in a public place(where her behavior was

inappropriate),I would pick her up and go outside. “This has the effects of

weakening the preceding behavior so that it occurs less frequently in the

future.
TYPES OF TIME OUT

NON
EXCLUSIONARY EXCLUSIONARY ISOLATION
 EXCLUSIONARY
• Involves removing the child from the reinforcing situation but not
from the room or area of activity. For example, sending a child to a
corner of the room or a chair positioned away from the ongoing
activity.

• 1-5 min is long enough to be effective

 NON EXCLUSIONARY
• Similar to exclusion time-out in that the child is removed from the
reinforcing situation for a certain amount of time but may still
observe the ongoing activity of the class.

• 5 min approximately or as per year

 ISOLATION

• A behavior modification technique of removing the child from their

environment of reinforcement to one that does not offer any incentive
for their behavior.
• An adult should always supervise
• No longer than 15 min
• Non rewarding activities plans for exiting and returning to class
 DO’S AND DON’TS
DO’S DON’TS
• Give a warning before timeout
• Don’t over use the technique
• Explain your reasoning

• Use a time • Don’t use an excessive amount of time

• Give a clear request • Don’t add extra consequences on top of

• Usually 1 min per 1 year of age time out.
• Have a more secluded backup area in case of

refusal.
Thank you