How To Encourage Positive Behaviours In Your Classroom
Written By Abena Sey
October 10, 2021
If your goal is to encourage positive behaviours in your students, the first step is to think about what you can do to build a positive classroom culture. Your classroom culture indicates the attitudes and values that you and your students have towards learning and relating to one another. It also sets the tone for how your classroom operates, how your students feel in your classroom, and their progress towards academic achievement. Given the impact that classroom culture has on your students’ learning, it is important to plan how you will build or improve upon it. Here are three strategies to help get you started.
1 - Create Classroom Expectations
Create classroom expectations that are simple to follow and refer to throughout the school year. You can decide whether or not you’d like to create them independent of or with your students. The key is simplicity and keeping the number of rules low (I recommend a maximum of 5). They should be broad enough that they are applicable to any problem or situation that may arise. For instance, a rule such as, we show respect for others, our property, and our classroom is broad enough to cover all kinds of behaviours that demonstrate respect. You will then teach your students your classroom procedures and routines that reinforce respect for others, their property and the classroom. Your procedures and routines teach your students how to follow the rules you have set. In the early learning classroom, preschool and kindergarten students benefit from rules that are clear and concise. For instance, your rules could be kind hands, listening ears, and walking feet. These rules are simple enough for early learners to understand and refer to when problem-solving in the classroom. It will be easier to redirect your students or give reminders of the rules when they are simple and communicated in age appropriate language.
2 - Use Visuals
Visuals that demonstrate classroom procedures and routines or expectations for academic performance are an excellent way to remind students of what is expected of them, and encourage independence. You can help your students attain independence and become accountable for their actions when you provide visuals. In my classroom, I use digital slides to model for my students classroom expectations and positive behaviours for learning and respectful play. I simply project the visual that shows my students what I expect of them at that time. I also have visual cards posted throughout the classroom and on a binder ring to flip to for my students to reference. Posting the daily schedule is also a helpful visual that can teach students to become independent. When they know what to expect, they can do what is required to prepare for transitions. Using visuals promotes efficiency in the classroom for transitions. You can reduce behaviour problems when visuals are used for teaching expectations and procedures. Your students will feel successful when they know what is expected of them and have a reference if they are not sure of what to do next. Visuals are the way to go!
3 - Create A Class Reward System
Whole class incentives are a great tool to build a positive community in your classroom and teach the value of teamwork. To begin, set a class goal and a deadline to attain it. Next, explain to your students how points are earned, e.g., expectations, desired behaviours, work ethic, acts of kindness, speaking French, etc. Then, decide how you will celebrate achieving the goal together and demonstrate how to celebrate one another when points are earned. This is also an opportunity to teach good sportsmanship. Use a visual to track the class’ progress. Do frequent check-ins to evaluate how the class is doing with their goal and ask the class to reflect on their progress. Address any challenges that you may be experiencing and make plans to improve. This will help students take ownership of their actions and feel even more invested in the process. The added benefit is the positive climate you will create in your classroom, especially once the goal is attained. Celebrate, then repeat!
You can create a positive classroom environment that supports students’ learning and achievement. Set clear expectations for your students, use visuals to scaffold learning, and include incentives to both motivate your students and to celebrate attainment of goals. Positive behaviours are the result of your efforts to build a positive classroom environment and culture.