Treat each child with respect, never embarrass or ridicule.

Share all successes with the class.

Believe by recognising their strengths that every child has the
ability to learn and achieve. .
Involve the children in making decisions regarding rules and
activities within the classroom.

Positive approach
It is important to focus on positive rather than the negative
statements when interacting with children, guiding them towards
positive outcomes rather than highlighting their mistakes.

Positive talk Negative talk

‘Craig, I‘d like you to look at the ‘Craig, stop chatting and look at
board. Thank you‘ the board.‘
‘Jody, if you know what day of ‘Jody, I‘ve told you don‘t shout
the week it is, raise your hand. out.‘
Good girl.‘
‘Peter, remember to walk down ‘Hey, Peter stop running down
the corridor sensibly. Thank you.‘ the corridor.‘

Children‘s manners and respect

Many children do not have good manners modelled at home. It is
therefore important for teachers to model and reinforce manners to
help develop children‘s social skills. Manners not only make a good
impression on others but also make us feel good about ourselves.

Tips: Manners and respect

Always acknowledge and reinforce when a child demonstrates

good manners.
Encourage children to treat others with respect by modelling
the desired behaviour.
Inform the children of the importance of treating others the
same way they like to be treated.
Role play various situations to demonstrate appropriate responses.

12 Practical approaches to behaviour management in the classroom