Seat Sheet and Collector Cards: Restaurant

  • Situation

    My son will not sit when we go out to a restaurant. He continually tries to crawl under the table or run away from the table. What can we do to make going out to eat easier?

  • Summary

    Create a Seat Sheet with a picture of your child’s favorite character pasted on sheet via the computer or a cutout picture. Laminate the sheet and explain that this is his Own Seat Sheet. Demonstrate how to sit on it. Next create “collector cards” by gluing pictures of his favorite characters/item onto paper or notecards (can create on the computer as well) Explain that when dinner at the restaurant is over and if he stayed on his seat sheet he can have a collector card (you may have a variety of pictures and let him choose from 2).

  • Definition

    A seat sheet is a picture of your child’s favorite item or movie/TV character that is laminated for him/her to sit on in a restaurant or other home/community setting where remaining in an area is an issue. Remaining in an area can then be reinforced with the character/item “collector card” when he/she is successful.

  • Quick Facts

    • Child's Age: 3-5, 6-10
    • Planning Effort: High
    • Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Pre-requisites

    Ability to understand rewards and expected behavior

  • Process

    1. Identify your child’s favorite character or item.

    2. Create a seat sheet with the favorite item displayed/laminate.

    3. Create collector cards with the motivator.

    4. Review the seat sheet and collector cards.

    5. Begin the intervention with child taking seat sheet with him/her to the restaurant.

    6. Reward with a collector card when your child remains in his seat.

  • Documents and Related Resources

    Power Card Strategy (Gagnon) (related situation on this site)

     

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