The challenges of behaviour management in the classroom
Managing behaviour can be one of the most demanding aspects of teaching. Teachers frequently encounter disruptive behaviours that can significantly impede learning. Common issues include lack of attention, defiance and aggression among students. Understanding the underlying causes of these behaviours, such as social, emotional and environmental factors, is essential for effective management. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) highlights several key challenges, including the impact of frequent disruptions, the importance of consistent implementation, the effect on teacher well-being and the necessity of parental engagement (EEF, 2019).
Types of behaviour management strategies
Effective behaviour management strategies are crucial for a conducive learning environment. These strategies include proactive and reactive approaches, positive reinforcement, and restorative practices. Implementing these effectively can help teachers create a positive and productive classroom atmosphere.
Proactive strategies
Proactive strategies aim to anticipate and prevent disruptive behaviours before they occur. This involves establishing clear rules and expectations, creating a positive classroom environment and building strong relationships with students. Consistency in applying these rules is crucial, as emphasised in Classroom Behaviour: A Practical Guide to Effective Teaching, Behaviour Management and Colleague Support (Rogers, 2011).
Reactive strategies
Reactive strategies are implemented to address behaviours after they occur. These can include verbal reminders, time-outs and consequences for negative behaviours. Maintaining a calm and respectful demeanour when applying these strategies is vital, as discussed in Rogers' Behaviour Management: A Whole-School Approach (Rogers, 2015).
Positive reinforcement
Positive reinforcement involves rewarding desirable behaviours to encourage their recurrence. This can be achieved through verbal praise, stickers, or extra playtime. The Behaviour Guru: Behaviour Management Solutions for Teachers highlights the effectiveness of positive reinforcement in promoting a positive classroom atmosphere (Bennett, 2010).
Restorative practices
Restorative practices focus on repairing the harm caused by negative behaviours and restoring relationships. This approach encourages students to take responsibility for their actions and understand the impact of their behaviour on others. Nicholas Burnett and Margaret Thorsborne's Restorative Practice and Special Needs: A Practical Guide to Working Restoratively with Young People discusses the benefits of restorative practices in fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom environment (Burnett & Thorsborne, 2015).
Recommendations for behaviour management strategies in schools
The Education Endowment Foundation's Improving Behaviour in Schools Guidance Report provides evidence-based recommendations for managing behaviour effectively within schools. These practical strategies aim to create a positive learning environment, reduce disruptions and support student well-being.
1. A whole-school approach. This ensures that behaviour management strategies are consistently applied across all levels of the school. This includes clear policies, ongoing staff training and a unified understanding of expected behaviours. Consistency is key to the success of this approach.
2. Teaching learning behaviours. Explicitly teaching learning behaviours, such as self-regulation, attention and perseverance, can help students develop skills that contribute to a positive learning environment. These skills are essential for fostering an atmosphere conducive to learning.
3. Consistent routines. Establishing consistent routines helps create a predictable environment where students know what to expect. This predictability can reduce anxiety and decrease the likelihood of disruptive behaviour.
4. Positive relationships. Building strong, positive relationships between teachers and students is crucial. This involves showing respect, understanding individual needs and fostering a supportive classroom environment. Positive relationships are foundational to effective behaviour management.
5. Parental engagement. Engaging parents and carers in behaviour management strategies can reinforce positive behaviours at home and provide a consistent approach between school and home environments. Parental involvement is a critical component of a comprehensive behaviour management strategy.
References
- Bennett, T. (2010). The Behaviour Guru: Behaviour Management Solutions for Teachers. Continuum.
- Burnett, N., & Thorsborne, M. (2015). Restorative Practice and Special Needs: A Practical Guide to Working Restoratively with Young People. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- Education Endowment Foundation. (2019). Improving Behaviour in Schools: Guidance Report. Retrieved from https://d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/eef-guidance-reports/behaviour/EEF_Improving_behaviour_in_schools_Report.pdf?v=1696319137
- Rogers, B. (2011). Classroom Behaviour: A Practical Guide to Effective Teaching, Behaviour Management and Colleague Support. Routledge.
- Rogers, B. (2015). Behaviour Management: A Whole-School Approach. Sage Publications Ltd.
