The best way to reduce future behavior problems is to have these 5 essential behavior management strategies in place beforehand. Read on to see how to implement these easy, yet highly effective strategies today.
In crisis training, the first thing they talk about is setting or environmental conditions. That’s where most of these strategies come into play. We need to use these behavior management strategies to create a learning environment that is supportive.
Build a relationship with students
Right from the first day, prioritize building a relationship with your students. Get to know what they like, and don’t like, and let them know you care. Some people call it pairing, but essentially building a relationship is a work in progress.
Build students’ interest into lessons to reduce off-task behaviors. Students will naturally be interested and engaged in your lesson.
Having established this relationship beforehand, your students will be more likely to trust you when they are dysregulation, struggling to cope, and acting out.
routines are a key behavior management strategy
While there are a lot of routines we want students to know, prioritize the routines that students will need to know for the rest of the school year. In special ed., we often have more information on students than general education teachers. Use that information to help you prioritize.
For example, all of my students struggle with transitions. That is a routine I want to teach, practice, and maintain all year long.
Even as you are getting to know your students, keeping the structure and schedule you want for the year is an essential behavior management strategy. Having this routine will help students be less anxious… they already know what to expect and what is coming next.
embed Behavior Management visuals
Behavior visuals should be taught and used in the classroom on a daily basis. They can help prevent behaviors just as much as they can help during a behavior.
Visual schedules, the pause button, timers, a wireless doorbell, etc. are all behavior supports that you should be using every day with students. Grab the behavior visuals below HERE for free.
Visuals help students when they are upset and dysregulated because they can easily communicate their needs.
Classroom rules are key to behavior management
Students need consistent expectations and consequences. Our classroom rules are a key behavior management strategy. Establish the classroom rules with input from your students. The classrooms should incorporate prosocial skills.
Once students know the rules, also discuss what happens when students break the rules. This should tie into your behavior management system.
Engaging lessons support behavior management
Having all of the visuals, routines, relationships, etc. is the precursor to the teaching. Our lesson plans need to be highly engaging to our students. Making your lessons hands-on and interactive is a fantastic way to prevent behaviors and off-task time.
Need hands-on teaching materials? Check out these resources to create effective, differentiated, and engaging lessons.
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