Choose a center and stay with the activity
When to use this goal
For children who drift from center to center without engaging, or who need an adult to choose and stay with them. Duration data across several center times and present levels in play decide the target; a child who cannot choose needs the choice board support first.
- Baseline
- Time from arriving at the chosen center to leaving it or stopping play for more than 30 seconds, on 3 to 5 days. Record which center was chosen; a child who stays only at one center may need the closed-center condition later.
- Tips
- Define engaged in writing (hands on the materials, using them for their purpose or in pretend play). A choice board makes choosing visible. The play area covers social play with peers; this goal measures staying with an activity.
- Limits
- Staying at a center does not show the quality of play; add a play goal if that is the need. Choosing the same center every day may be a preference, not a problem; use the team's judgment.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID fn-pk-021.
Sign in to add this goal to a student.
Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during free-choice center time with 4 to 6 open centers, the student will choose a center and stay engaged with its activity independently for at least 6 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive center times, as measured by duration recording collected daily during center time.
Baseline: 1 minutes.
- Condition
- Observable behavior
- Criterion
- Measurement method
Measurability check11 of 11 met
Met: Observable behavior. Stated as an action.
Met: Condition. Stated.
Met: Unit fits the behavior. Duration fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Duration recording gives duration data.
Met: Review timeframe. Stated.
Met: Baseline and target compatible. Same unit, change in the right direction.
Met: Aligned with area of need. Still about Preschool & Kindergarten Readiness.
Met: Level of support. Defined.
Met: Blanks filled in. Nothing left to fill in.
Checks structure and wording only. Whether the goal fits the student is the team's call.
Short-term objectives (optional)
When are objectives required?Required for students on alternate assessments (34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(ii)); some states require them for everyone.
Paste into your IEP system
Most district systems have a separate box for each part of a goal. Copy them one at a time, or all at once as labeled text.
- Area of need
- Functional & Independence Skills - Preschool & Kindergarten Readiness
- Baseline
- 1 minutes.
- Annual goal299 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during free-choice center time with 4 to 6 open centers, the student will choose a center and stay engaged with its activity independently for at least 6 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive center times, as measured by duration recording collected daily during center time.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During free-choice center time with 4 to 6 open centers
- Behavior
- The student will choose a center and stay engaged with its activity independently
- Criteria
- For at least 6 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive center times
- Evaluation method
- Duration recording
- Schedule
- Daily during center time
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Duration tracker. Records start and end times.
Duration tracker
Duration- Student label:
- Target:
- for at least 6 minutes
- Mastery rule:
- on 4 of 5 consecutive center times
- Collection schedule:
- daily during center time
- Method:
- Duration recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during free-choice center time with 4 to 6 open centers, the student will choose a center and stay engaged with its activity independently for at least 6 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive center times, as measured by duration recording collected daily during center time.
| Date | Activity / context | Start time | End time | Duration (minutes) | Target duration | Support levele.g., independent, 1 verbal prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Start timing when the defined behavior begins and stop when it ends, using the definitions agreed by the team.
- The goal is reached when duration is at least the target (6 minutes).
- Note interruptions that weren't caused by the student.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.