Discipline is a critical behavioural trait that guarantees an advantage in the game of life. The classroom offers a unique opportunity to instil this quality into young minds.
A disciplined classroom will benefit students academically and help educators make the most of the limited time they have per class. That said, it is easier said than done in today’s landscape. With heavy workloads, lack of proper classroom management training and the “Social Media” factor, educators are left with a significant disadvantage.
However, there are a few classroom discipline techniques educators can implement right away to improve the discipline in their classrooms. This blog will tell you everything you need to know about them.
Proactive classroom discipline strategies
When it comes to classroom management, a proactive approach to classroom discipline is critical.
1. Set the expectations
A common mistake educators, especially those new to their role, tend to make is to take a friendly approach to make a connection with their students. While building relationships is essential, it is equally important to communicate and set behavioural and academic expectations from the get-go.
2. Set the classroom
Classroom arrangement also plays a significant role in the discipline levels of a classroom. A study conducted by Louisiana State University states that specific classroom arrangements can significantly impact participation and assessment performance. If the classroom is set in a manner that encourages participation and learning, then the discipline automatically sets in.
3. Set aside the phone
Recent statistics show that constant exposure to short-form social media content and the excessive time spent staring at screens significantly affect our attention spans. Studies have shown that since the 2000s, the average human attention span has dropped nearly 25% from 12 to 8 seconds.
Educators must account for this by making their lessons engaging and enjoyable by including interactive elements. The more engrossed students are in your teaching, the less likely you as an educator will have disciplinary issues in the classroom.
Responsive classroom discipline strategies
Even if you have implemented every proactive classroom discipline technique in the book, there are situations when instances of misbehaviour will occur.
As an educator, it’s your responsibility to address any misbehaviour immediately. This will also communicate to the rest of the classroom that such behaviour is not welcome. Not nipping misbehaviour in the bud can worsen the situation over time for the individual in question and the classroom as a whole.
One way to address this is to give immediate feedback, positive or negative. Brushing incidents of misbehaviour aside in an attempt to stick with the lesson plan will send out a message that students can get away with certain things.
It is also essential to address every instance of misbehaviour fairly and consistently. Not every infraction needs to be dealt with an iron hand. As educators, discipline should be enforced appropriately in accordance with the gravity of the misbehaviour. Care should also be taken to ensure there is no negative impact on the student’s dignity, or yours for that matter.
Building a positive classroom culture
Misbehaviour often stems from underlying issues, which could be anything from lack of confidence, medical issues, the lack of attention, basic needs not being met or due to growing up in a problematic household.
Building a positive classroom atmosphere that promotes mutual respect, a sense of belonging and responsibility among students can go a long way in improving discipline in the classroom.
Sometimes, the most effective classroom discipline techniques are sticking to the basics and encouraging model behaviour, self-awareness and building a positive relationship with their peers, the teacher and the classroom as a whole.
Involving parents and guardians
As an educator, giving equal and adequate attention to all the students in the classroom can be difficult. Building a positive relationship with the parents and keeping the lines of communication open with them can go a long way in addressing any issues related to discipline in the classroom.
Today, as educators, you have plenty of access to technology that can enable you to communicate effectively with parents and guardians. Use that to your advantage. For instance, with QFix, parents can be notified if their child has been consistently late to class, allowing them to take the necessary action.
In many instances, educators also find themselves in situations where their hands are tied to their backs when it comes to addressing specific disciplinary issues. In these situations, it’s best to bring parents or guardians into the fold at the earliest.
Conclusion
Navigating classroom behaviour is by no means an easy task. That said, it’s also important to remember that discipline is not about punishment or control; it is about helping students learn to make better choices and nurturing them towards being strong, independent individuals.
As an educator, an approach that utilizes all the classroom discipline techniques mentioned in this blog will help create a classroom where students feel respected and supported. This will automatically improve overall classroom discipline.
If you are looking for a solution to help you streamline your operations in the classroom and beyond, EduFix can be your one-stop solution. Visit the website to learn how.