Understanding Inappropriate Student Behaviour
In a study of classroom strategies, researchers examined how effective classroom teachers interacted with specific types of students. The study found that the most effective classroom managers did not treat all students the same; they tended to employ different strategies with different types of students. (Marzano 2003). Therefore, an understanding of the diverse nature of your student population can help you (the teacher) build strong student-teacher relationships and increase the likelihood of effective classroom management.
Get to know your students. Read their student profiles, discover their learning style preferences and find out about each student through conversations with the students and their parents/caregivers. The better you know your students the more you can adapt your teaching style, the presentation of your lessons and your behaviour management strategies to suit.
There are many factors that will influence student behaviour in the classroom and it's important to be aware of these. Some are listed below:
Family Problems:
- Divorce/separation
- Custody battles
- Low income/unemployment
- Drug/substance abuse
- Child abuse, violence, neglect
- Poor diet
- Poor parenting
- Lack of discipline
Emotional Problems
- Stemming from any of the above
- Poor self image
- Lacking confidence
Diagnosed Disabilities
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Aspergers or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Hearing, Visual, or Physical Impairment
- Allergies
- Other Behaviour Disorders e.g. Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
Undiagnosed Disabilities
- Any of the above disabilities may not be diagnosed until a child is in year 3-4 of Primary school, and may indeed go
undiagnosed.
Peer Pressure
- Negative role models
- Bullying/cyber bullying
- Harassment
Fundamental Human Needs not met
- Lack of food / poor diet / unhealthy food
- Lack of meaningful relationships (i.e. love, affection, care and attention)
Learning style or special needs not catered to
- Lessons are not relevant, engaging or interesting
- Lack of support from classroom teacher
- Lessons are inappropriate for the needs of the student
Cultural Factors e.g. Non- English speaking background
- Diverse cultures and languages need to be catered to
Get to know your students. Read their student profiles, discover their learning style preferences and find out about each student through conversations with the students and their parents/caregivers. The better you know your students the more you can adapt your teaching style, the presentation of your lessons and your behaviour management strategies to suit.
There are many factors that will influence student behaviour in the classroom and it's important to be aware of these. Some are listed below:
Family Problems:
- Divorce/separation
- Custody battles
- Low income/unemployment
- Drug/substance abuse
- Child abuse, violence, neglect
- Poor diet
- Poor parenting
- Lack of discipline
Emotional Problems
- Stemming from any of the above
- Poor self image
- Lacking confidence
Diagnosed Disabilities
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Aspergers or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Hearing, Visual, or Physical Impairment
- Allergies
- Other Behaviour Disorders e.g. Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
Undiagnosed Disabilities
- Any of the above disabilities may not be diagnosed until a child is in year 3-4 of Primary school, and may indeed go
undiagnosed.
Peer Pressure
- Negative role models
- Bullying/cyber bullying
- Harassment
Fundamental Human Needs not met
- Lack of food / poor diet / unhealthy food
- Lack of meaningful relationships (i.e. love, affection, care and attention)
Learning style or special needs not catered to
- Lessons are not relevant, engaging or interesting
- Lack of support from classroom teacher
- Lessons are inappropriate for the needs of the student
Cultural Factors e.g. Non- English speaking background
- Diverse cultures and languages need to be catered to
