Having strong behaviour management strategies particularly at the beginning of the year, setting the ground rules and establishing expectations is critical for classroom teachers.

I am not a fan of screaming and believe all students should be treated with respect and spoken to appropriately. Do not underestimate the way you can use your voice and your tone as it can have a big impact.

Good behaviour management practices include;

• having your students attention before beginning to teach

• expecting the best from your students in regards to bookwork, manners and respect for equipment

• students displaying responsible behaviours in the classroom

Using the SLANT method or the 5L’s is a common strategy reinforced in the younger infant classes.

• The SLANT classroom management policy demands that students sit up, listen, ask and answer questions, nod and track the teacher. This shows they are engaged and practising active listening skills.

• The 5L’s refer to lips, laps, legs, listen, and look. You teach and correct students to have their lips closed, their hands in their laps, their legs crossed, their ears are listening and they are looking at the teacher.

Positive behaviours can be rewarded extrinsically with star charts, sticker books, prize box, ClassDojo points, or a communication book with a positive note home.

Students will soon learn that negative behaviours displayed in class will have consequences. Unfortunately, there are children who will test the boundaries or struggle to follow classroom expectations.

Teachers should follow school behaviour management protocols which may be similar to this procedure;

• Attempt to redirect the child

• Give a reminder of the class rules or school rules

• Give a verbal warning

• The student has a loss of privileges

• Parent call home from the class teacher

• The behaviour is referred to the supervisor

• For consistent or concerning behaviours a referral to the welfare and support team is prepared.

What strategies do you use in your class to ensure you are on top of behaviour management? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.