Techniques and Strategies in Managing Negative Behaviours

Techniques and Strategies in Managing Negative Behaviours

Behavior management techniques require an understanding of what causes the behavior, the response to the behavior, and the consequence of the behavior.

Instructions

1.   Define appropriate standards of behavior in the first class. Include them in a hand-out so that students and parents are aware of what is expected.

2.   Ignore minor misbehaviors if the student does not disrupt class and hinder the learning of other students. Some students will stop the behaviors if you ignore them. Reward the student only when there are positive behaviors. If ignoring the behavior doesn't work, move on to the next step.

3.   Deal with disruptions when they happen, every time they happen. Students who get away with misbehavior some of the time are more likely to continue to misbehave because they might get away with it. Maintain consistent standards as a way to discourage inappropriate behavior.

4.   Call the student by name and request the appropriate behaviour. Maintain eye contact and use a firm, steady tone of voice. Pause until the student complies with the request. Thank the student for her cooperation.

5.   Asking the student a direct question about the material being presented may also be effective. Give the student a problem to solve or ask her to read a passage from the instructional material.

6.   Draw up a behavior contract between you and the student if ignoring the behavior doesn't work, state appropriate behavior standards and the rewards for following those standards. Define inappropriate behavior as anything outside the list of appropriate behaviors and list possible consequences of misbehavior. You and the student should sign the contract. Place one copy in the student's file and give the student a copy.

7.   Remove a disruptive student from the group that supports him. Separate a talkative student and place him within groups that behave appropriately. You seat an unruly student where you can see him or where you can stand close to him while you teach.

8.   Meet privately with the disruptive student and discuss the consequences of her behavior. Stress the need for an atmosphere that promotes learning for all students. Discuss how her/his behavior affects other students. Set logical consequences for inappropriate behavior.

9.   Invite parents, other teachers, school administrators, counselors or others who might help to conference with you regarding the student. Determine if the student has physical or emotional issues that need to be addressed. Request that the conference attendees provide some additional suggestions that may help the student to exercise some self-control in class. Implement any suggestions that seem appropriate.

Samples of Misbehaviors

Whining and Temper Tantrums

As children have not developed a refined ability to communicate what it is that they need or want, whining sometimes becomes a mechanism that kids use to let adults know when they are tired, hungry or in any other state of discomfort. However, when whining is used as a manipulation tactic, then it becomes a disruptive behavior. Whining can occasionally lead to temper tantrums, which are always disruptive. Temper tantrums can occur anywhere, at any time, and can include kicking, screaming, yelling, stomping and an assortment of other undesirable actions. Like other behaviors, whining and temper tantrums can be conquered by discipline and other parental consequences and rewards a child can earn for choosing to or not to exhibit such activities.

Lying

A child’s imagination is a valuable thing, and it can open the doors to creativity and artistic vision. However, when a child can no longer tell the difference between reality and make-believe, it can become problematic. Lying can sometimes be caused if a child gets in trouble a lot. He may be afraid of your retaliation or disappointing you, so he may lie to get out of trouble. Assess the reason he is lying, and explain to him how hurtful this habit can be. If you find you or other family factors are a cause for these lies, take the steps to correct your behavior.

Stealing

You may notice your child taking things that don’t belong to him, either from friends’ houses, or when you’re not looking in the supermarket. Although stealing is not abnormal in the preschool years, and a child may even slip up in kindergarten or first grade, if the pattern persists, you are dealing with abnormal behavior. Consider the reason that your child feels the need to steal. He may feel that stealing a piece of candy for his friends makes him more likable. Or he may like that it gets your attention. Address the situation right away, and explain to the child that stealing is wrong and illegal. Then instruct him on other ways to deal with the problem he is facing.

Cheating

A child may develop a cheating habit later in life when she feels that she cannot measure up to expectations. She may also hold herself to a high standard and take on too much schoolwork or extracurricular activities, and find that cheating is the only way to make it through. Let her know that she doesn’t have to be perfect all the time, as long as she tries her hardest at everything she does.

Aggression

At an early age, a child may have a hard time expressing when he becomes frustrated. A baby or toddler my kick or hit a parent or another child when he becomes upset because he doesn’t know how to deal with his feelings. At these times, teach him the correct way to deal with anger. As he gets older, if these problems persist, see a specialist to determine the source of these feelings.

Speaking Out of Turn

One example of an inappropriate behavior is a student speaking out of turn. This occurs when he has a question, comment or opinion, and doesn't raise his hand, rather just speaking over whoever else is speaking, whether it's the teacher or another student. This is inappropriate because if everyone speaks out of turn, it will quickly disintegrate into a chaotic situation where nobody --- including the teacher --- can make himself heard. Interruption becomes a problem when one person shifts the class's attention. A good way to deal with the situation is to nip it in the bud by making a rule that nobody is to speak when someone else is speaking. Any time someone wants to speak, he must raise his hands.

Not Paying Attention

Another inappropriate behavior for students is not paying attention. Rather than focusing on the teacher or activity at hand, they might be looking out the window, drawing pictures in their notebooks, or using a cellphone or laptop. Students cannot learn if they are not paying attention. A teacher is an entertainer in many ways; he needs to be able to engage the class and hold their attention effectively. And unless students bring focus to their work, there is little chance of comprehension or retention.

Talking Back

A teacher needs the respect of his students. They need to understand that she runs the class, not them, and that when she is teaching they will listen and engage themselves. Talking back to a teacher, by refusing to do what she says or making snide comments, is extremely inappropriate. It takes the power and attention away from the teacher and instead focuses it on the student. This behavior is unacceptable as it collectively affects everyone's learning by undermining the teacher's authority.

The Bully

Certain problem behaviors in the classroom have to do with the way that a student interacts with the other students around him. Bullying is common within classrooms, and the abuse can be both physical and verbal. A problem student may not be respecting his classmate's personal space or may be messing with a classmate's things. This type of problem student may be trying to gain power, get attention or belong to a trouble-making group. It is important to address these problems, because it directly affects the other students in the class.

The Disruptive Student

Other problematic behaviors occur when the student is supposed to be working on his own. During what is supposed to be a time for quiet reflection, a problem student may purposely cause disruptions. A student who arrives late for class, does not have his homework completed, does not stay seated during class and/or falls asleep during class has chronic behavioral problems, which you will need to address. This student may be bored, unchallenged, an attention seeker or dealing with non-academic issues that are causing him to act out in class.