When it comes to education, Singapore is among the 10 best countries in the world. One of the reasons for this crowning achievement is the dedicated teachers in every classroom in the country trying their best to support their students, not just in academics but more importantly, in character building and values formation. Through effective behavior management, teachers are molding the students to be well-rounded individuals who take responsibility for their own actions and behaviors.
Whether you’re a teacher in a local Ministry of Education (MOE) school or in an international school in Singapore, there are ways to encourage your students to exhibit proper behavior in the classroom. If you’re interested in maintaining order and in fostering a positive learning environment for your students, consider these different approaches to classroom management.
1. Establish Classroom Routines
Students, especially the younger ones, thrive in routines, not just at home but in school as well. Routines provide structure and predictability for students, which in turn makes for a comfortable environment with reduced stress and anxiety.
You can establish your own class routines, starting with a greeting and goodbye ritual. These formalities establish transitions for each day, marking the start of the school day and the start of their family and personal time, respectively. With consistency, students will know what to expect, which means they will be more likely to stay on schedule and on track, in terms of school work.
2. Collaborate with Students in Creating Rules
It’s always a good idea to engage your students in the rule-making process. This collaborative approach encourages ownership, responsibility, and sense of agency.
To start with, discuss the importance of rules and consequences. During the activity, allow the students to voice their opinions about certain behaviors and consequences. Together, you can craft a set of rules that everyone can agree upon. This shared commitment can significantly reduce disruptive behavior while empowering students.
3. Praise or Reward Students for their Excellent Behavior
Constructive or positive discipline is an approach that focuses on the correct behavior rather than a person’s mistakes. For instance, if a student disrupts a class rudely, rather than reprimanding the student in front of the class and risk embarrassing them, the teacher talks to the student privately instead. In addressing the behavior, the teacher listens, expresses expectations, and problem-solves collaboratively. That being said, the process will still include consequences to ensure accountability.
In Singapore, many teachers have seen remarkable results with this approach. In different schools, creative games are used to reinforce positive behavior, such as giving children stamps that represent instances of good behavior, awarding kids with “caught doing good” tickets, and publicly affirming—during school assemblies—students who have exhibited good behavior.
4. Hold Students Accountable for Breaking the Rules
While praising good behavior is important, addressing rule violations is equally crucial. Consistency is key when enforcing consequences for breaking the rules. Moreover, maintaining a calm and respectful demeanor when discussing behavioral issues, as well as providing constructive discipline techniques can guide students toward better choices without alienating them.
Constructive discipline is a positive approach that focuses on the correct behavior rather than the student’s mistakes. For instance, if a student disrupts a class rudely, rather than reprimanding the student in front of the class and risk embarrassing them, the teacher talks to the student privately. In addressing the behavior, the teacher listens, expresses expectations, and problem-solves collaboratively. That said, the process will still include consequences to ensure accountability.
Positive reinforcement remains part of this approach as well as a follow-up to see if the student is still in need of guidance and support.
5. Utilize Engaging Teaching Methods
Engaging lessons can prevent behavioral issues from arising in the first place. In fact, interactive and innovative teaching methods tend to capture students’ interest so much that they keep them focused on learning.
To start with, you can experiment with hands-on activities or multimedia presentations to make lessons more engaging. Moreover, try to incorporate gamification in your teaching approach, such as including educational quizzes and challenges to encourage your students’ competitive spirit. With these engaging lessons, students can enjoy the class and be less likely to be disruptive.
6. Use Positive Language in the Classroom
Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning by using positive language and a modulated tone of voice. Aside from lending an atmosphere of respect and encouragement, using positive language also builds rapport with your students. In case of conflict, positive language can defuse tension and reduce defensiveness, allowing for much more constructive communication.
7. Build a Positive Relationship with Your Students
While you don’t have to be friends with your students, it’s still vital to have a positive teacher-student relationship to foster trust and respect in your classroom. For this reason, ensure that all of your students feel welcome and included, especially students who, for any reason may be feeling vulnerable in class.
Take the time to get to know your students individually. Listen to their concerns and offer support when needed. After all, these connections can be a powerful buffer against behavior problems.
Managing classroom behavior in Singapore’s diverse educational setting requires a combination of strategies and a deep understanding of your students. With some strong-willed personalities in the mix, it can be a daunting task. However, through consistency and genuine concern for students’ welfare, teachers will overcome the challenges of handling different students with different personalities.
