Parents |
Teachers | Professionals
Teachers
Even young children can begin to learn the concept of
consequences if you use “if-then” thinking with them. Ask
them to predict the consequences of a particular behavior.
Use phrases like, “If you do that, then what do you think
will happen?”
For children aged 6 and older, the most effective
reinforcements for successful performance of tasks are
activities that children enjoy – not material things. You
probably already use some activity rewards for your entire
class, but you can also structure daily “reward minutes”
for individual children during which they can read, play a
game, use the computer, or do some other activity that
they really enjoy.
When a child persists in a behavior you'd like to
correct -- like raising his hand for every question --
warn him in advance that you will not be able to pay
attention to him when he does that. Then follow through
and deliberately ignore him when he persists.
If you are having trouble with a child's disruptive
behavior, find out whether the parents are having the same
problem at home. If they are, try to agree on using the
same discipline strategy at home and at school. Greater
consistency will help the child change that behavior more
quickly.
The best way to help a child gain control over
impulsive behavior in the classroom is to give concrete
feedback in addition to your praise when she manages her
impulses. One easy and effective approach is to give the
child a card with a smiley face each time you sense that
she has mastered her impulsiveness. Her growing collection
of cards will help to reinforce her self-managed behavior.
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