How to Discipline a Child at School

Discipline can be a tricky area for teachers.

Teachers are often overwhelmed by behavior management. Some days, your students will really make you earn your paycheck. Don't worry. Discipline doesn't have to be scary. The key to effective discipline is in correcting the problem instead of simply punishing the child. It may feel uncomfortable at first to discipline somebody else's child, but remember that it's a part of your job. Students who misbehave have a negative effect on the learning process, fellow classmates, the teacher, and, of course, themselves. Remedying the misbehavior is in the best interest of everyone. Different strategies will work for different students, but here are some places to start.

Instructions

1. Prevent. The best behavior management strategy is to prevent the misbehavior from happening at all. If you sense trouble brewing, move to that area. Students are conscious of your presence and their behavior will reflect that.

2. Identify the source of the problem. Children need you to communicate with them. Sometimes you can do this before the misbehavior even occurs if a student walks in and something is unusual in his demeanor. Talk to him and find out what's wrong. This could save you a lot of trouble in the end. If the misbehavior has already occurred, find out why it happened so you can plan a way to prevent it from happening again.

3. Build self-efficacy. A child's confidence level can have a major effect on her behavior. Pointing out a child's strengths will not only help prevent future problems, it will make her more receptive to the criticisms you have when you discipline.

4. Set clear rules and consequences, and always follow through. If you don't hold firm to the rules and follow the procedures for consequences, then children will not understand that they are misbehaving. Above all, be consistent so there is no confusion about the misbehavior or its ramifications.

5. Reward good behavior. Positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to decrease negative behaviors. It can be especially useful in a classroom, where students can witness the effects of other students' good behavior. This can cause a chain reaction in which other students desire those same rewards and modify their behavior accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• Always stay calm and make sure the child knows you are unhappy with the behavior, not the child himself.

• Tailor your discipline plan to the specific needs of the student whenever it's possible.

References

• Kids Health: Disciplining Your Child
• Discipline Help: You Can Handle Them All