Kids’ Behaviour – Prevent A Behaviour Crisis Then You Don’t Have To Manage One!
I had some visitors in my class today. They were staff from a local school where I’d given some behaviour management training and I always encourage them to come and see the strategies being used. I love having visitors and the kids just take it in their stride – it’s normal to them to have an audience and it doesn’t bother them at all…
As they watch I hear the visitors quietly talking. I want them to ask questions, to understand how it all works. Why does she do this or that? It’s important…
One question today was from a teacher who had started off ok at the beginnning of term with her class, but was now starting to have difficulties with managing low level disruptions – children chatting, being off task, wandering around, etc. She told me that she was becoming increasingly frustrated but didn’t know what to do – she felt she should be doing something but didn’t know what.
She had to be applauded for being so honest – it’s difficult to admit that you’re having problems managing the kids’ behaviour. It wasn’t difficult to give her some pointers that would put her on the right tracks.
The earlier she acts the better. The alternative is to follow the example of many others who fail to act and end up with the ‘crisis management’ scenario.
Managing children’s behaviour successfully depends on realising that preventing a crisis is vital – so much more productive than the constant fire fighting of crisis management. It’s about timing, using your voice and body language effectively. Set your ground rules and follow effective strategies with total consistency.
This teacher felt that things in her class hadn’t got bad enough to take action, but it’s so important that you act before things get to a crisis point – it makes life so much easier, for you and the children.
It’s not difficult to learn to manage kids’ behaviour properly – learn the techniques, use them without fail and you’ll quickly see things improve. You’ll be less stressed, your authority will be accepted, the kids will be confident that you’re in control and your work becomes more of a pleasure…
My classes are full of kids who are so out of control in their mainstream schools that they’re close to being kicked out for good! But, see them happy, relaxed, using manners and working so hard with me you’d wonder what on earth they’re doing with me! They’re great… and happy!
Liz Marsden is a highly successful children’s behaviour management expert, specialising in extremely challenging behaviour. Visit Liz’s website to access invaluable information you need to make your life in class or at home less stressful, more productive and enjoyable. Follow invaluable techniques and quickly see improvements in invaluable form of well behaved and confident children.
