Strategies for Students Who Lack Responsibility

Begin responsibility training early and consistently.

Students need to learn personal responsibility for getting assignments done on time and for many other classroom behaviors. Students who lack responsibility can spend a lifetime making poor choices and failing to live a successful life. Teachers and parents can work together to teach a student helpful strategies that lead to more responsible behaviors and better grades.

Write It Down

Have the student write down assignments, needed supplies and other important reminders in an assignment book that travels with him wherever he goes. A pocket in the book can hold notes between parent and teacher. Student takes responsibility for taking the book home, talking with parents about the day’s contents and checking off completed assignments.

Make Choices

Encourage the student to make choices, such as what to eat for lunch or whether to study spelling or math first. Wherever possible, offer choices and require the student make the choice, rather than a parent or teacher. Begin with two or three choices and progress to more options as the student grows comfortable with the process.

Assign Responsibility

Give the student chores to do or responsibilities in class. At home, she can put up her own clothes or help with supper preparations, such as setting the table or preparing drinks. At school, the student can assist with care of the classroom pet, hand out papers, or water the class plants. Students see the value of their assistance and receive praise for a job well done.

Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility

The Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility program helps student learn responsibility through incremental steps. Students learn personal respect and respect for others. Students learn to define personal success, based on their level of participation and effort involved to achieve a goal. Students move to choosing activities based on interest and need, set goals and steps to achieve them, assess progress and redefine goals based on progress. Finally, students see their efforts in respect to how their behavior affects others. The program works complementary between school and home, reinforcing the values learned.

Modeling

Give students consistent modeling of the behavior you want to see. Key behaviors students observe include honesty in word and deed, and following through with promises and commitments. Point them out to the student when observed in individuals or through stories.

Logical Consequences

Allow students to experience the logical consequences of their behavior. The student who forgets his homework must turn it in late for a lower grade, and not expect mom to rush to the school with it. The student who lies finds that no one believes him or wants to be his friend. The student who follows through with responsibilities and completes tasks receives praise and more freedom.

References

• Pets in the Classroom: Students Learn Responsibility
• PE Central; Disciplining Students by Promoting Responsibility; Deb Wuest
• University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: Family Life: Helping Children Learn Responsibility
• Kid Source Online: Helping Your Child Learn Responsible Behavior with Activities for Children