By Daniel Curry
One of the biggest challenges new teachers face is that of classroom management. They arrive at schools with subject matter knowledge and conceptual understanding of the learning process. However, handling the different behaviours and attitudes of a classroom full of children takes time and training.
For parents who want help managing their children’s behaviour at home, there are some key insights used in the best schools in Gurgaon and classrooms in Gurgaon. Many books have been published with a variety of child psychology and behavioural improvement approaches. However, some key points are common and will help both teachers and parents as they help their children grow in social skills.
Because I Said So
Parents must make decisions in the best interest of their children, and most of the decisions are made for the child at a young age. If we want children to begin understanding the rationale so that they can start to make better decisions, they should understand why. Too often, when children ask ‘why’ they must start (or stop) doing something, they are told ‘because I said so’, or some equivalent answer.
As much as possible (obviously, there are times and places where this isn’t possible), take time to explain things to the child. They begin to see how you make decisions and start to see all the elements involved. They should hear that you want what’s best for them.
Choices
Perhaps the most effective way to modify behaviour is to provide choices along with the natural consequences. This happens often in the classroom environment. For example, a child may be saying mean things to another child. The teacher might say (calmly), ‘you have the following choices. Continue to say those things, or stop and apologise. If you continue, you are showing me you aren’t ready to be with other children, you don’t understand our rules and values, and therefore must face the consequences (might be a call home, removal of privileges, etc.). If you stop and apologise, you are showing our values of empathy and kindness and we all continue as normal’. Which choice do you want to make?
By providing logical choices and consequences, we help children develop those same skills of discernment. They now aren’t just having decisions made for them – they are given a voice and the opportunity to make the decision (even if it is the wrong one). In all cases, the teacher or parent should be calm and matter of fact.
Values
Children also need to understand the values that are important to the family and school. These values should be explicitly taught as a foundation for the behaviour we want to see. Defining attributes like empathy, collaboration, compassion, kindness, etc. helps frame the ‘why’ for most children. ‘Kindness is important. Was what you did kind? What might you do differently?’
Be consistent in the framing behaviour in terms of values, and praise them when they exhibit those values. ‘You showed empathy when you gave a toy to your friend who was crying. I’m very proud of you.’ This positive reinforcement will make a real difference.
Top schools in Gurgaon use these kinds of approaches to help build a child’s character. Academic knowledge is just one component of the overall education provided. Good behaviour should come from internal choices, not just as a response to punishment.
For more information on the above subject, write to us at info@vega.edu.in.