top of page

– Self-Regulated Learning –

Reflect

Thoughtful Reflection

The reflection process encompasses looking at data as well as thinking through what happened in the process.  Reflection should aid the mental and emotional synthesis of your experience. This is the time to share insights and feelings and discuss what you value about your goals. You can conversatons about obstacles, distractions, what was successful, and what each of you were thinking and feeling as you moved through the process.  Thoughtful reflection should then inform the next round of goal setting and strategic planning.

Keep in mind as you review your performance over time to expect that results may come slowly and that you will have to be persistent--DO NOT give up.

Analyze the Data

Create a chart, graph, or table that demonstrates progress over time, such as from week to week.  Tracking progress over the course of weeks is critical to success.  At times, both parents and children become upset or angry that a problem is not "fixed" in a week or two.  But, keeping track of performance over time often shows that real progress is being made.  Use the trends of the data as a part of your reflection.Was

Determine if the Plan was the Problem

If your plan has not been successful you probably need to revise it.  However, there are many times when the problem is not the plan.  Research has shown that most of the school behavior intervention programs that were unsuccessful failed because they were not implemented with integrity (as the programs were designed) or with intensity (the teachers did not enthusiastically apply themselves to the effort).  Before you decide that your own plan needs to be revised, have a conversation to determine if the plan was implemented the way it was designed or if it was only given a half-hearted effort.  If the plan was not implemented well, it is time to renew the commitment to the effort or determine if a different strategy would allow for a stronger commitment.

What was the Outcome?

Reflecting on Success

Reflecting on Limited or no Success

  • Even if your child has been successful you are not necessarily done.  It may be time to move the goal posts and set a higher goal

  • You and your child may want to set a goal for a different habit you hope to develop

  • It may be time to plan for how your child will maintain the positive habit you are developing

If you have not been successful consider what interfered with success.

1. Could it be the goal?

  • You chose a goal that was too demanding?

  • The goal wasn't suited for your circumstances?

  • The goal was not SMART enough to be successful?

2. Could it be the plan?

  • The strategy you selected is too cumbersome for your situation?

  • Your strategy may be too demanding of your time and energy? 

  • The plan wasn't implemented as it was planned?

  • You may have relied on someone else to follow-through on a component of the plan but that person did not do so

3. Could it be the effort?

  • You may have chosen a goal to which you or your child is not truly committed and need to rethink your priorities

  • You or your child may be distracted by other demands that took a higher priority

  • You or your child may be distracted by emotional concerns that are overwhelming your desire to change

  • You or your child may be having too much fun doing something else to bother with really making changes

  • Your child may have a fear of failure that interferes with the ability to get started and stay focused

  • Your child may have a fear of success that serves to sabotage efforts each time success seems near at hand

bottom of page