Do the children behave better for others than for you? Do you having problems managing the children's behaviour? Would you like a magic wand and everything to be better?
This recalls a conversation I had with a head teacher some time ago. A child with very challenging behaviour was referred to my classes. During the chat she said she wanted him to go away and come back fixed. Disappointingly for her I told her that I don't fix children - well not in the way she meant. She was a little surprised and asked that if I don't fix them what do I do......
This question arises quite often - what do I do when children's behaviour becomes so out of control that mainstream school staff can't manage? What makes them become manageable in their mainstream school and allows for successful reintegration?
I am frequently told and read reports from so many education professionals - those in school and many others from outside who have tried but failed to manage the child's behaviour. I'm always told everything's been tried and there's nothing more to be done. True - they've tried all they know of. Unfortuately, most of the people trying to deal with unacceptable behaviour and not succeeding have limited behaviour management techiques to call on. To succeed, they have to learn effective behaviour management strategies and this will enable them to manage the child's behaviour.
So, I'm still saying I don't 'fix children'? Yes, I stand by that statement. What I demonstrate is the effective managent of the child's behaviour while in in my classroom - I do the same in their mainstream classroom too. The child knows instinctively and reads the situation, recognising that the person in charge is confident and competent at managing behaviour. The children relax and settle to a routine quickly, accepting high expectations behaviour and work. Why is it different in my classes? Because the effective behaviour management techniques I use consistently and confidently are instintive and second nature. The children accept the limits and boundaries on their behaviour and conform without fuss.
Unfortunately, that doesn't help the school, the problem being that children won't transfer the behaviour in my class to their mainstream classes unless the adults there learn to manage children's behaviour confidently and effectively. Think about it - the precedent has been set that the child can behave in a certain unacceptable way in their school. Children quickly read who has the skill to manage their behaviour - and probably more importantly - who hasn't.
So returning the the matter of 'fixing kids' - I simply demonstrate that their unacceptable behaviour can be managed appropriately. However, every adult dealing with them has to learn behaviour mangagement skills, otherwise they won't get the same results. Don't think that learning to manage children's behaviour is difficult - it isn't. Anyone can learn the skills . I've helped so many people and I can help you too. You just have to read the Behaviour Bible techniques, practise them in your school or class, then use them with total consistency.. that's it!
Author Resource:
Liz Marsden has many years of successfully managing extreme and challenging behaviour that so worries teachers today. You can gain invaluable knowledge about managing children's behaviour from reading Behaviour Bible . Also follow her daily work to learn more about improving behaviour in the classroom