The following are some important behaviors to avoid and techniques to use when disciplining students:
Behaviors to Avoid When Disciplining:
- Shouting loudly or continually
- Nagging
- Pushing or pulling students about
- Confronting in an accusatory tone
- Engaging in banter/arguing
- Sarcasm
- Threatening (as opposed to presenting logical consequences or choices)
- Jumping to conclusions
- Assuming that students who are regularly in trouble are always to blame for incidents
- Losing your temper
Techniques that Build Rapport and Foster Better Behavior:
- Treating students with respect
- Treating students in a firm, friendly, and quiet way
- Giving plenty of praise/rewards for appropriate behavior
- Making a note of all serious incidents that need follow-up
- Knowing where there is help in case of an emergency
- Dealing with matters consistently as set out in staff procedure or as agreed upon by responsible staff
- Keep a notebook to record good and poor behavior; this allows you to follow up on all incidents
- Attempt to redirect and correct students quietly and privately
If you have to discipline someone, make a determined effort to repair the relationship once the discipline is over.