When a teacher uses a strategy to isolate a disruptive child from group activities, what is this strategy called?

The strategy of isolating a disruptive child from group activities is referred to as a time out strategy. This approach is designed to momentarily remove the child from a situation where their behavior is disruptive, allowing them time to calm down and reflect on their actions. The intent is to create a pause in the child's participation in activities that may be overwhelming or causing behavioral issues, thereby fostering an opportunity for self-regulation.

Time out is typically employed as a behavioral management tool to reinforce acceptable behavior by providing a clear consequence for disruptive actions. It helps the child to understand that certain behaviors lead to temporary removal from social interactions or enjoyable activities, encouraging them to consider their choices in the future.

The other strategies mentioned, such as positive reinforcement, behavior modification, and individualized instruction, focus on different aspects of behavioral guidance and learning. Positive reinforcement aims at encouraging desirable behaviors through rewards. Behavior modification involves changing undesirable behaviors through consistent consequences and rewards. Individualized instruction is about tailoring educational approaches to meet the unique needs of each student. While all these strategies are essential in educational settings, the specific technique of isolating a disruptive child aligns most closely with the time out strategy.