Sweet Behavior and Halloween Candy

What happens to the candy now? The U.S. Census reports that we eat an average of 26 pounds of candy per year.

You can do a Halloween candy sort for a vocabulary boost, but what then? Why not use those sweets to sweeten your special needs child's behavior?

• Establish expectations.
• Set up a schedule.
• When the rules are followed for a specified time (morning, afternoon, etc.), allow the child to pick a treat from the bag.

Besides using the sweets for a behavior reward, you will want to use the opportunity to establish (or reinforce) good dental practices.

• Good behavior.
• Choose a Halloween treat.
• Brush the sugar away.

Just think how many practices you can get in with a single Halloween haul! The routine should be an automatic response by the time you get to the bottom of the pumpkin. I hope you have a sweet week. . . L.