Parent/Teacher Connection: Prevent Bad Behavior Before It Happens and Seek Out Support

Being proactive is the first step in avoiding a series of discipline issues. In the classroom, that means that the teacher anticipates as many possible outcomes at once before she starts the day. Many teachers devise projects/games/lessons with specific kids and dynamics in mind.

For example, if they are doing a group activity, the teacher can assign the groups to avoid fighting and exclusion. Then she can put distractable kids in areas of the room that aren't as exciting. They can give those kids jobs or roles to make sure they're working. They can put a very mature and attentive child with a child that needs extra attention. Maybe she cuts out certain parts of the project that she knows will confuse the kids or adds in parts that will get them engaged. All of these choices are made before anything begins to stop discipline problems that can be avoided.

Having a schedule and time warning are another tool. In the classroom, teachers give "transition time" in order for the kids to go from one activity to another. Having transitions allow kids not to feel rushed. When there is the feeling of being rushed, anxiety and stress go up. Things get hurried and the adults get annoyed more easily. A way to avoid this is to allows for a buffer period for kids to move onto the next activity and not feel rushed.

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