For instance, some kids may enjoy being rewarded by working in a group, while other kids might enjoy choosing their own activity for a period. Still others may prefer a prize of some sort. Finding what motivates each child can help encourage all personality types. [4] X Research source You can also build plans based on age level, as what motivates a second grader will not likely motivate a high school student. One teacher identifies these six groups as the main motivators: praise, power (helping the teacher), projects (deciding what learning activity to do), people (playing outside, working in a group), prestige (recognition in front of the school), prizes, and praise (affirmation from the teacher). [5] X Research source
Stick with consequences that are easy for you to enforce; that is, you shouldn’t need to stop everything to enforce it. It’s often best to start with a warning, as all kids make mistakes. You can move on to other consequences, such as a time-out, a write-up, or a letter sent home. For instance, you could start with a warning, move on to a write-up, and then go to a letter home. Alternatively, so many write-ups could equal a letter home.
With rewards, you should generally let them carry over for the whole year, meaning that kids keep earning towards rewards all year. Once one reward is earned, you let the kid move on to earning the next one. You could have the rewards get progressively better or just let each small goal speak for itself.
Keep it short and simple. Four or five rules is better than 10. [7] X Research source Rules should give instruction about what to do, not what not to do. For instance, “Keep your hands to yourself” is better than “Don’t touch others. “[8] X Research source
Establish a routine. [10] X Expert Source Katie StyzekProfessional School Counselor Expert Interview. 28 October 2020. A routine lets students know what to expect each day in class. While moving away from the routine periodically can be effective for special days, doing it often causes students to be unprepared. There should be a routine for each part of the class and expectations for each routine, such as lining up for recess, partner work, and class dismissal. [11] X Expert Source Katie StyzekProfessional School Counselor Expert Interview. 28 October 2020.
Another way you can reinforce behavior is pointing to where you keep the rewards system, whether it is publicly displayed or not. [14] X Research source
This letter should not express anger. Rather, it should lay out what happened in the classroom in a straightforward way. You should have blanks for the child’s name, what the child did, and the date. You can leave the blanks on the computer, or print out form letters that you fill in by hand, whichever you find easiest.
