The “Yes, But…” Strategy / Building Positive Relationships, Specialized Interventions / By Arkansas Behavior Specialists This Behavior Break features a strategy that can be used in the classroom, called the “Yes, but…” strategy which allows educators to tell their students “No” without eliciting problem behavior. “Yes, but…” Strategy Handout First 5 Minutes Strategy Music for De-Escalation Increasing Student Participation Attention Signals Strategies for Work Refusal Accepting “No” in the Classroom Quick Tips for De-Escalation Noncontingent Reinforcement