Behavior management is a type of behavior modification used in adults, children and even animals. In a broad sense, it is simply a way of eliminating undesirable behavior and encouraging appropriate behavior. Positive behavior management techniques are especially important for teachers and other specialists who work with children. Behavior management promotes order in a setting such as a classroom, creating a healthy learning environment.
Guidelines
Guidelines are crucial in behavior management. Children must understand what type of behavior is expected of them. Classroom rules should be clearly posted in terms that have meaning to children. Educators should discuss the rules and discipline systems with students and refer to them frequently. The Mississippi Office of Healthy Schools states that all children should be able to explain the rules as well as the consequences for breaking them.
Accountability
The first step in correcting unwanted behavior or encouraging positive behavior is awareness. For behavior management in children, it is important to make sure they understand what they were doing right or wrong before rewarding or punishing them.
According to the Kyrene School District's website, when a child does something wrong, you should discuss the behavior with him, ask him what rule was broken, ask him what is the consequence of breaking the rule and discuss better choices.
Modeling
Psychologist Albert Bandura's theory of observational learning states that one way children learn behaviors is by watching others. It is important for adults to model appropriate behaviors for children; however, Bandura found that children are more likely to imitate behaviors they see through media, particularly cartoons. Animated scenario videos can be a useful tool in modeling desirable behavior. Bandura's studies also showed that children are more inclined to imitate behaviors modeled by other children than by adults.
Positive Reinforcement
E!Science News reports that anticipation of reward is a greater motivator than fear of punishment, particularly in children under 12 years old. Studies involving brain scans show that it is simpler for pre-adolescent children to understand that they have done something right than to figure out what they did wrong and why it was incorrect.
Examples of positive reinforcement include verbal praise and recognition, items like stickers or candy and events like a class party. The reward should be proportionate to the behavior. Many classrooms use a chart system as a visual way to track each student's behavior and establish consequences and rewards.
