Dealing with challenging pupils? Mistake #2
Bad behaviour in class? The last thing you need is more punishment
The second mistake teachers make when dealing with challenging pupils is to ratchet up the frequency and severity of punishments.
My post about the difference between punishments and consequences highlighted the obvious difference between these two approaches. The most dangerous assumption though, is that punishments alone are enough to modify behaviour.
Consequences alone are not enough to modify behaviour either, but reasonable limit setting is key to any healthy relationship.
The rules of marriage
When we get married we make some sensible promises. Staying together and not beggaring off with other people are usually in there. However there are lots of other unwritten rules. Thou shall ringeth home if thou is going to be late is a slightly less serious rule within a relationship but is an example of how some unwritten but essential guidlelines help a relationship run more smoothly. The truth is: good relationships need rules.
The key
The mantra here at Future Behaviour is nurture with structure. Nice and strict (and by strict we mean consistent.)
Reasonable rules, reasonable consequences, reasonably delivered are key to building the relationships you need to improve behaviour.
Kind and consistent
I’ve said it before but I think it’s worth repeating:
It’s the consistency of delivery, not the severity of consequences, that shows students that you care enough to give them boundaries.
And you’ll find the easiest ways to be more consistent right here.
