FLIP IT!® Transforming Challenging Moments
with young children
Support the social-emotional development of young children and reduce instances of challenging behavior by using the FLIP IT strategy!
FLIP IT is a strategy that offers a simple, kind, strength-based, commonsense, and effective four-step process to address children’s day-to-day challenging behavior. The four steps are embodied in the FLIP mnemonic which stands for Feelings, Limits, Inquiries, and Prompts. FLIP IT is nothing new, but transforms quality practice into a strategy that is easy to remember, applicable in a variety of challenging situations, and portable.
Feelings
Gently talk with the child about their feelings. Tell them what you see and hear as a result of their emotions. Help them to identify the root feeling causing the behavior.
Limits
Remind the child of the positive limits and expectations you have for their behavior. Loving and simple limits help surround children with a sense of consistency, safety, and trust.
Inquiries
Encourage the child to think about solutions to their challenges. Ask questions that promote problem solving and healthy coping skills. Inquiries invite children to think, learn, and gain self-control.
Prompts
Provide creative cues, clues, and suggestions for the child who is having difficulty. Enthusiastic, bright ideas can lead the way to better problem-solving skills.
Children who are frequently “FLIPPED” become emotionally aware problem-solvers who develop healthy coping skills that will last a lifetime!
Who can use the FLIP IT strategy? ANY ADULT who works with and cares for young children…teachers, parents, social workers, mental health professionals, bus drivers, crossing guards…anyone and everyone.
The FLIP IT Strategy in Action
This brief video will provide a short introduction to the FLIP IT strategy through real-life video footage of it being used successfully in an early childhood classroom.
More FLIP IT Examples
Check out these examples of FLIP IT in action! Each clip, about three minutes in length, provides a brief overview of the four steps and an example of a child engaging in a behavior that might be challenging to an adult. You’ll hear an adult supporting the child with the FLIP IT strategy.
FLIP IT is aligned with Conscious Discipline, The Pyramid Model, and PBIS
Research supports FLIP IT
The Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs at Miami University recently published an evaluation of the OH Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ state-wide pilot of the FLIP IT strategy. The researchers also reported that parents were “overwhelmingly satisfied” and “100% of the comments described positive outcomes.” They recommended that the state continue to sustain and support the use of FLIP IT concluding that it “offers parents effective parenting skills that can improve the lives of their children and family members.”
Read the Executive Summary, Full Report, or watch this on-demand webinar all about the research!
First-Time FLIP IT Success
Karen Kreis, a VPK teacher out of Sunrise, FL, shares a real classroom moment and reflects on her first successful experience using the FLIP IT strategy. Hear how this simple, supportive approach helped her respond calmly and effectively to a behavior concern, and why she plans to keep using it.
Literature Review
When the FLIP IT strategy was being developed, an extensive literature review was conducted to inform the final approach. The literature review will provide confidence in the foundation of FLIP IT, and provide answers to questions that users may have about the strategy and how it fits within the larger context of managing children’s challenging behavior.
The original FLIP IT training curriculum was developed with the support of a one-year innovative grant from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services received by the Franziska Racker Centers (FRC). FRC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for people with special needs in Ithaca, NY.
