Dealing with behaviour issues in the classroom can feel overwhelming for teachers, as it takes their attention away from teaching and learning. However, despite the challenge, teachers have various ways to handle behaviour in the classroom.

In this article, SPARK Schools Achievement Manager Gundo Mmbi shares practical strategies teachers can use to address and manage behaviour.

One crucial point Mmbi emphasises is the need to establish clear expectations for students in the classroom. This sets a positive tone and helps students understand what behaviours contribute to a positive learning environment. Behaviour management is essential to creating a healthy classroom environment for teachers and scholars. 

From the moment scholars walk into the classroom, they should know what behaviours to demonstrate, and when teachers build strong relationships with their scholars, managing behaviour can be seamless. 

“It’s important that students are familiar with the classroom culture and how the teacher communicates,” Mmbi suggests. 

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Additionally, teachers should create a positive and supportive classroom environment. Understanding the reasons behind students’ behaviour is also vital.

“Every behaviour has a cause, and we must investigate this,” Mmbi emphasises.

Teachers have various strategies at their disposal, and Mmbi shares these strategies. 

Build a strong relationship with your scholars

We can’t emphasise enough the importance of teachers building a strong relationship with their scholars. A solid relationship helps teachers and students connect better, while not having a good relationship can make scholars feel disconnected. 

Determine the most effective communication methods

Once you’ve established a relationship as an educator, learn the best strategies that help you better communicate with your scholars. Create an environment where they can speak freely and express themselves when facing challenges. 

Collaboratively establish classroom rules with your student

From day one, establish how you want to have an effective classroom and learning environment. Establish rules with your students; however, be flexible and not rigid. For instance, there are instances where you need to be flexible, especially when you see that a rule is not working.

Explain how disruptive behaviour will be addressed

Setting up rules without explaining the consequences of breaking them is as good as not having rules at all. Mbi explains that teachers should tell students how disruptive behaviour will be addressed. When handled with students, it won’t come as a surprise when they face the consequences of their actions. Most importantly, teachers should also model the behaviour they want to see in their scholars.

Common Mistakes when Managing Behavior: 

As an educator, you will only sometimes get it right, and that’s okay. Spending more time with your students will give you time to learn about them and how to manage their behaviour better. 

Mmbi shares some common mistakes teachers make when dealing with student behaviour. 

• It’s not just about addressing disruptive behaviour; it also acknowledges positive actions. Students may feel unheard if attention is only given during negative instances.
• Not all disruptive behaviour is harmful. Recognise when students lose focus and encourage techniques like think-pair-share. Differentiate between disruptive and engaging behaviour based on the context.
• Yelling and shouting signal a loss of classroom control. Address the disruptive student individually, avoiding arguments or shouting matches. Refrain from blaming, ridiculing, or sarcasm. 
•  Physical contact should also be avoided.

While it might be overwhelming to deal with behaviour issues in the classroom, it is not impossible to deal with them positively.