With students’ diversity, how do I reinforce positive behavior in the classroom? It’s quite a challenge though, but it should be done to keep the class productive and orderly.
Photo by Max Fischer
No matter what level of education you are teaching reinforcing positive behavior in the classroom is a must to ensure successful student learning. It’s a great way to avoid bad days in the classroom.
Learning how to use positive reinforcement in the classroom can help manage the class. And I am sincere about classroom management systems in the classroom that I decided to share some tips for reinforcing positive behavior in the learning space.
Get a better understanding of how to inculcate positive behavior in your students. Today, I will share some of my favorite methods of positive behavior management.
To begin with, have you incorporated varied behavior management strategies?
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<<How do you design your behavior management strategies? Try considering these strategies for the classroom.
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What Is Positive Reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement is when a behavior is encouraged by giving the child something as a reward.
As a way to reinforce a certain behavior, positive reinforcement involves giving a child something fun as a reward. This reward system motivates the child to display a certain behavior.
For example, if a child does well in the learning tasks or acts as the leader of the group, the teacher puts stickers with positive messages on his work or the teacher gives colorful pens and the like to remind the child how excellent is his behavior.
Photo by Max Fischer from Pexels
Positive reinforcement works if it’s done wisely. It’s just like giving words of praise to a child for he does well on a test. However, it should not be given if it’s not meant to be given. It should be used to strengthen the child’s ability and recognize his strengths.
How Do I Reinforce Positive Behavior in the Classroom?
Inculcating desirable behavior in students is a way of classroom management. The following tips can help you strengthen the agreeable behavior in the classroom to make the learning process runs smoothly.
1. Set clear expectations and rules
You have to be clear and consistent in setting expectations and rules in the classroom. to avoid bad behavior in the classroom. Your students should know well what to expect and how you want them to perform.
Positive reinforcement in the classroom begins with setting clear expectations and guidelines for your students and adhering to enforcing those standards.
If you need to, take the time to go over and review your set expectations and standards with your students, and don’t forget that consistency is the cornerstone to excellent behavior.
2. Make lessons interesting and stimulating
When students aren’t enjoying class, they feel bored and they show bad behavior. They are stuck and it’s manifested in how they act in the classroom.
Students are highly engaged in learning when they enjoy what they do in the classroom and their thoughts won’t wander. Having group activities, for example, encourages them to share their ideas and work together with the rest of the class.
Because of the captivating presentations, the students are in full attention and they listen attentively. There’s no room for empty sighs and sleepy moments. Thus, bad behavior is avoided.
3. Build positive relationships with the students
Teaching with compassion means fostering a meaningful bond with your students to make them feel a sense of belonging in the classroom. It nourishes mutual respect in the classroom that helps students to feel good and exhibit desirable habits in return.
As you establish good connections in the classroom, the students are more conscious of their actions and behavior that they avoid spoiling classroom interactions.
Moreover, collaborative relationships foster respect and mutual trust. With this view, students find ways to stay close to desirable habits and behaviors so they avoid incurring bad behavior and negative actions.
4. Use positive language
Positivity in the classroom can emanate from the positive language you use. When a student doesn’t listen attentively, saying ‘Stop talking’ can have a negative impact. However, when you say, ‘Please listen carefully and focus on the important details’ is quite different.
Speaking in a language that reinforces respect enables the students to also be careful and mindful of what comes out of their mouths. It makes them aware of their own actions and language.
With positive language, students are more encouraged to act accordingly and display desirable values. It’s a practical way of teaching and reinforcing positive behavior in the classroom. What you say matters.
“Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. “- Mahatma Gandhi
As students always hear positive language through feedback and remarks, they aren’t hearing it but also are taking notice of your attitude. And emulation begins from there. Since it’s about what they see is what they get, they are to imitate it.
5. Be a model
To encourage positive attitudes in students, you must set yourself as an example. Always say, do, and show things that are positive and encouraging.
The positive attitude you model will bear positive results. Students look at you with high regard and you should take advantage of that admiration.
If your students witness that your attitude gets you good results, they will be inspired to do the same. A perfect example is showing optimism in everything you do no matter how demanding your profession is. Smile. And your students see it.
Demonstrate how optimism makes a good atmosphere for well-being and how being positive affects their chances of achieving their academic goals. Optimism spreads like wildfire. If your students see that in you, more likely they will also become determined to do better.
In other words, a cheerful, encouraging attitude should permeate all aspects of your teaching styles and methods of making students learn – your words, actions, and beliefs. There’s no other person in the classroom who your students should witness it than in you.
6. Establish a positive learning environment
Consider how you might help your students learn in a favorable atmosphere. Creating a positive atmosphere in the classroom will help students become excited about learning. They always look forward to participating in the varied learning tasks.
Why? It’s because they’re comfortable. And when they feel they’re safe, they also develop positive relationships to get along with one another.
The simplest way to do it is by structuring your classroom bulletin boards. Post on the wall inspiring words telling your students how happy you are to have them in your class.
The motivational words on the bulletin can boost their confidence and avoid bad behaviors that can result in bullying and self-pity. The inspiring words are set to lift them up and develop a growth mindset.
As your students take on new academic opportunities and challenges, creating a happy learning environment can go a long way toward reducing negative thinking and promoting positive thinking.
7. Promote effective open communication
Your students should be given opportunities to talk and discuss important things with you. Setting yourself at a distance can never allow students to express their ideas and feelings. It just worsens conflicting emotions and impulses.
Initiating dialogues and interactions with your students opens communication lines in the classroom which makes students confident to express their feelings and thoughts.
Establishing good communication in the classroom is crucial as it encourages the students to listen well to understand. It promotes emotional awareness.
“Emotional awareness is necessary so you can properly convey your thoughts and feelings to the other person.” – Jason Goldberg
With effective open communication, good behavior inhibits the learning space as well. And always remember that a positive relationship starts with good communication.
Conclusion
Good behavior in the classroom yields successful student learning. When students develop positive behavior, they are more likely to become optimistic, positive, patient, and resilient.
As a teacher, you are not just to hone skills and develop potential but also ensure how well students perform all the tasks and how they get along with others. Its behavior is about what the students do and not just what they say and think.
Now, if you can incorporate the tactics being shared here, the behavior of your students will improve and you can witness how they direct their own learning and achieve success.
So, how do I reinforce positive behavior in the classroom? If you have reached this part, then you must have gained something. Regardless, if I have missed something, feel free to share in the comments.
