Children's Behaviour Not Improving? You Can't Be Doing It Right!!
So, to the harsh reality of the heading of this article. If they're not behaving then you're not doing it right.... Oh Liz, that really is harsh. Maybe it is harsh - but it's true.... Either as a school (and kids' behaviour should be an all school issue) or in individual classrooms, if behaviour isn't improving (and presumably people want it to?) then something is being done wrongly. The great thing is though, anyone can learn the skills to effectively manage children's behaviour. As I've written before - skill and confidence are the keys to success.
If you want to master any skill the process is the same. Find out what you have to do, practise the techniques to become proficient and then go on with the skills to become increasingly confident and a better practitioner. My skills have grown over years - Behaviour Bible tells you about my first days managing children's very challenging behaviour. Well, managing is the wrong word - it was a disaster!! I hadn't a clue what I was doing and the kids knew it .... it was awful..... I see so many people in that situation in schools I visit.
I knew that I had to learn to manage the behaviour being presented but there wasn't anywhere I could learn - no courses. I was on my own and it took me quite a long time to establish what was needed. But, I realised I had to make big changes and build skills that would make me successful. These behaviour management strategies are what I use every day in my classes and I also pass on my knowledge to others in schools and classes - and improvements can be seen in minutes. As soon as you start doing the right thing the children recognise the fact and respond completely differently to you.
While I've been working with extreme behaviour the situation in schools has become far worse and bad behaviour is so common in schools that there's a danger of it being thought of as normal. Adults should be appalled by behaviour they see but I see people accepting such behaviour. They seem to believe that there's nothing they can do - I call it 'learned helplessness'. There's just a shrug of the shoulders and a 'what do you expect us to do about it?' attitude.
The question has to be asked, 'Are you happy with the results you're getting using your present behaviour management techniques?' Usually the answer is negative and if this is the case for you then you have to be prepared to make some changes and practise some new skills. You'll then see life becoming more relaxed, with improved classroom results. How can you lose - less stress and added learning - an offer you can't refuse....
Behaviour Bible tells you what you need to know about managing potentially difficult behaviour situations and creating a successful and productive classroom. Read, practise and implement.
If you want to master any skill the process is the same. Find out what you have to do, practise the techniques to become proficient and then go on with the skills to become increasingly confident and a better practitioner. My skills have grown over years - Behaviour Bible tells you about my first days managing children's very challenging behaviour. Well, managing is the wrong word - it was a disaster!! I hadn't a clue what I was doing and the kids knew it .... it was awful..... I see so many people in that situation in schools I visit.
I knew that I had to learn to manage the behaviour being presented but there wasn't anywhere I could learn - no courses. I was on my own and it took me quite a long time to establish what was needed. But, I realised I had to make big changes and build skills that would make me successful. These behaviour management strategies are what I use every day in my classes and I also pass on my knowledge to others in schools and classes - and improvements can be seen in minutes. As soon as you start doing the right thing the children recognise the fact and respond completely differently to you.
While I've been working with extreme behaviour the situation in schools has become far worse and bad behaviour is so common in schools that there's a danger of it being thought of as normal. Adults should be appalled by behaviour they see but I see people accepting such behaviour. They seem to believe that there's nothing they can do - I call it 'learned helplessness'. There's just a shrug of the shoulders and a 'what do you expect us to do about it?' attitude.
The question has to be asked, 'Are you happy with the results you're getting using your present behaviour management techniques?' Usually the answer is negative and if this is the case for you then you have to be prepared to make some changes and practise some new skills. You'll then see life becoming more relaxed, with improved classroom results. How can you lose - less stress and added learning - an offer you can't refuse....
Behaviour Bible tells you what you need to know about managing potentially difficult behaviour situations and creating a successful and productive classroom. Read, practise and implement.
About the Author:
Liz Marsden is a highly respected behaviour management teacher who manages challenging behaviour considered unmanageable by other teachers and professionals. Liz's influential book Behaviour Bible offers invaluable advice and instruction to help you manage your classroom effectively. You can also gain an insight into Liz's work and her daily classroom experiences.
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