Stay in a structured game with a peer buddy
When to use this goal
For young students who leave shared play within a minute or two, even with a willing peer. Base the choice on observation of peer play and the student's interests. A peer buddy is a classmate who has been shown a few ways to play with and wait for the student; buddies rotate so the role stays fair and fun for everyone.
- Baseline
- Time 3 buddy sessions from the start of the game until the student leaves the play area or stops taking part for more than 30 seconds. Note which games held the student's interest and what came before leaving (noise, waiting, losing, a buddy taking over). Ask the student or family about favorite games.
- Tips
- Start the timer when the game begins and stop it when the student leaves the play area or stops taking part for 30 seconds. Coach the buddy to wait, offer turns, and follow the student's ideas. Let the student pick the game. Short breaks the student asks for do not end the session.
- Limits
- Duration depends on the game and the buddy; keep both steady during baseline and progress checks. Buddy programs should never make the peer a helper only; build mutual play. The goal does not measure turn-taking or talk during play.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID se-play-021.
Sign in to add this goal to a student.
Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during a scheduled peer buddy session with a simple structured game the student has chosen (such as a ball run, a matching game, a building set), the student will play the game with the peer buddy, taking part in each round independently for at least 8 minutes, across 3 consecutive buddy sessions, as measured by duration recording collected three times per week during buddy sessions.
Baseline: 2 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 Play & Social Participation.
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
- Social-Emotional & Communication - Play & Social Participation
- Baseline
- 2 minutes.
- Annual goal417 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during a scheduled peer buddy session with a simple structured game the student has chosen (such as a ball run, a matching game, a building set), the student will play the game with the peer buddy, taking part in each round independently for at least 8 minutes, across 3 consecutive buddy sessions, as measured by duration recording collected three times per week during buddy sessions.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During a scheduled peer buddy session with a simple structured game the student has chosen (such as a ball run, a matching game, a building set)
- Behavior
- The student will play the game with the peer buddy, taking part in each round independently
- Criteria
- For at least 8 minutes, across 3 consecutive buddy sessions
- Evaluation method
- Duration recording
- Schedule
- Three times per week during buddy sessions
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 8 minutes
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive buddy sessions
- Collection schedule:
- three times per week during buddy sessions
- Method:
- Duration recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during a scheduled peer buddy session with a simple structured game the student has chosen (such as a ball run, a matching game, a building set), the student will play the game with the peer buddy, taking part in each round independently for at least 8 minutes, across 3 consecutive buddy sessions, as measured by duration recording collected three times per week during buddy sessions.
| 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 (8 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.