5 behaviour management strategies and techniques that work
Why behaviour management strategies and techniques are needed
It’s hard to get pupils to behave consistently without having a strategy and techniques in place that encourage a positive learning environment. Having a whole-school strategy in place, as well as individual tools and techniques, can help to keep your classroom calm and focused.
What’s more, this positive learning environment can make a teacher’s workload more manageable and improve their overall wellbeing.
81% of respondents in a recent report said that their top priority is to reduce the workload associated with behaviour management, which is where behaviour management strategies, policies and techniques come in. By improving behaviour, teachers spend less time on the associated administrative tasks and parent communications and more time on actions that matter.
5 behaviour management strategies that work
1. Fair and consistent consequences
Depending on the behaviour observed, sometimes a quick warning or conversation can be enough to resolve the situation. However, to change or manage behaviours, students need to know that their actions come with consequences – and that those consequences will be upheld.
2. Your classroom, your rules
Teachers should be allowed to set their own rules within their classroom (in line with school behaviour policies). Restricting what teachers can do disempowers teachers and can result in scenarios where pupils know that their teacher can’t use “consequence X” until other sanctions have been used, resulting in pupils saying, “You’re not allowed to do that!”
3. Professional development
To help teachers with behaviour management, SLTs should allow and encourage teachers to undertake professional development focused on behaviour management skills. Whether this takes the form of formal training, workshops, reading or internal training, schools have reported positive impacts from implementing such practices.
At Tes, we offer a wide range of CPD courses for teachers to assist with their professional development. Take a look online today to find a course that fits the needs of your school.
4. Mobile phones
Perhaps a controversial topic, whether or not to ban mobile phones in schools, however such a policy has proven to be successful in the pursuit of behaviour management for some schools.
Rather than sneakily scrolling and messaging during classes, or being a slave to social feeds during breaks, one school found that after implementing a ban on mobile phones, pupils were far more engaging with each other and with teachers during classes.
5. Recognition of positives
Whilst establishing clear and consistent consequences is important, as is formally recognising positive behaviour. This fosters a positive learning environment, increases pupil motivation and can boost self-esteem. Publicly recognising good behaviour can also encourage the rest of the class to act in suit with the aim of similarly gaining praise or rewards.
Tes Class Charts offers a great way to formally track behaviour, providing pupils and parents with the relevant information and recognition, whilst also providing teachers and school leaders with valuable insights into behaviour trends
Behaviour management techniques for challenging behaviour
Particularly challenging behaviours can be difficult to manage and can take their toll on teachers. However, the key to managing such behaviour is in understanding why the child is acting out. This information can help the teacher to find a tailored solution which is more likely to work in the long-term.
Promoting positive behaviour as a way of preventing poor behaviour is a key strategy, as previously mentioned, however another way to manage challenging behaviour is using the ABC Method.
First, identify the reason for the child’s behaviour. This allows teachers to understand why they’re acting out, thus allowing them to find a suitable solution. Secondly, analyse the behaviour itself and look for any patterns that might appear. This approach lets teachers understand the behaviour better may help them to prevent reoccurrences. Finally, reviewing the consequences and potential outcomes of a situation can help teachers find the most effective solution.
Try Tes Class Charts for effective behaviour management
Class Charts by Tes is smart, yet easy to use behaviour management software that makes it easier for teachers to keep on top of classroom behaviour and focus more time on what really matters – pupil success.
Featuring simple tools to give rewards, manage behaviour and even optimise seating plans, Class Charts helps schools create a positive learning environment that helps pupils to reach their full potential.
Download our free guide today to learn more about Class Charts and how it can help manage behaviour at your school.