behaviour

Behaviour Management: 30+ Habits of Effective teachers.

Written in conjunction with a number of experienced educators from across special and mainstream education. The list of behaviour management strategies is not exhaustive. They should give you a good foundation on managing day-to-day behavioural issues. By habits we mean the day to day routines you develop in your classroom. Behaviour management in education is a key stress point and often a source of frustration to teachers.

Advice relating to behaviour management ranges from “Teach fun lessons” to “Zero tolerance for any infringement.”. The most effective teachers use a range of strategies and behaviour management techniques. The three key strategies relate to building relationships with the children, setting clear expectations and routines and maintaining a consistent approach.

behaviour management quote consistent expectations

Whatever you do teaching is a profession with the child at the centre of all we do. Your approach should reflect your values and ethos.

Essential Behaviour Management Habits

  • Show the child they have value in your class.
  • Develop a meaningful relationship.
  • Build in opportunities to learn and practice social interaction skills.
  • Teach a way to ask for space appropriately.
  • Inform children of the structure.
  • Develop routines and typicality so children know what to expect.
  • Lead the class, you determine the direction of a task or lesson, if you want to go off plan do it.
  • A Seating plan is only effective if you review it over the term.
  • Clear expectations, reinforced consistently.
  • Ensure you have designed tasks to be accessible to each child.
  • Overt differentiation can destroy self-esteem
  • Keep your voice calm and controlled.
  • Do not underestimate how powerful silence can be in learning.
  • Stop talking if you are spoken over, then address. Do not compete to be heard.
  • If you say you are going to do it then do it!
  • Praise is your gift to give. Use it wisely but generously.
  • Maintain your composure and body language.
  • Shame is not a behaviour management technique, it is abuse.
  • Positivity should be unconditional.
  • If behaviour hasn’t met expectations that session make sure you address it before the children leave.
  • If you need compliance don’t frame the request as a question.
  • Be where you should be on time
  • Be prepared to start planned learning activities promptly.
  • Pace and timing are subjective but used well can help with learning behaviours.
  • Don’t have favourites, find a positive in each child.
  • If you messed up admit it, apologise and move on.
  • Novelty can lead to overexcitement, use it wisely and build up to it.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
  • Restart and reset if needed, whether that is the lesson or interaction with the child.
  • Non-verbal signals and gestures can help reduce noise levels. Use your voice as a tool.
  • Provide an exit if a poor behaviour has been shown.
  • Only ever reprimand in private as much as possible, some children want that audience.
  • Meet negativity with positivity
  • You can change the situation to meet a need.
  • Make time to find out what drives behaviour.
  • Say Thank you before the do what you ask
  • Address the child by their preferred name all the time.

I hope these are useful. Please feel free to add your own behaviour management habits in the comments.

Other behaviour linked articles.

Essential behaviour deescalation techniques.

5 reasons your challenging behaviour strategies aren’t working.

How to prevent behaviour escalation.

Keep calm and build relationships

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