What is behavior? It is what we see. Behavior is observable. It is the way an individual acts in response to a situation. Behavior is the way one conducts oneself.
There are many ways we talk about behavior. “That girl is spoiled; she will not eat hamburgers cooked anywhere except from McDonald’s.” I can hear my Uncle Bobby say those words. As a child I admit I was a very picky eater! I still am picky, but not like I was. My dad would drive all the way into town to get something for me to eat when we went to visit.
I reflect on my childhood, as I am sure you do as well. We do not all have the same experiences, but we learn many of our behaviors and character traits. I am thankful for gaining my service to others from my parents. It is the joy of giving, seeing others succeed, and placing the needs of others first.
When we think of behaviors needed for success, look at those individuals you believe are successful in what they do. When you do this you need to define success.
I believe leaders need to have these 12 character and behavior traits to support success for themselves and those they lead:
1. Inspiring others
2. Thinking strategically daily and long term
3. Leading change and transition
4. Learning from experiences
5. Navigating ambiguity with a growth mindset
6. Demonstrating courage and grit
7. Competency in Positivity
8. Integrity and trustworthy
9. Displaying creativity
10. Building relationships (staff, students, families, community, leaders, stakeholders )
11. Recognizing the potential in self and others
12. Communicating effectively (written and oral) timely manner with consistency to all.
One of the issues most new teachers have trouble with is classroom management. Even some seasoned teachers can find difficulties with managing behaviors. There are many roots to behaviors. It takes a little digging to discover the causes, but once we identify and understand, we can support by using techniques. Follow the Action Steps to guide you through the behavior identification. Strategies can be applied once we have identified the behavior.
Action Steps
- Identify the behavior
- Understand the behavior
- Identify the causes, needs, techniques and supports
- Avoid “being part of the problem”
Strategies
- Routines. Set clear routines for everything you would like students to do in your classroom.
- Silent signals. (Red, Yellow, Green cards on desk)
- Proximity.
- Quiet Corrections.
- Give students a task.
- Take a break.
- Positive phrasing. (I like how, You did a great job doing-)
- State the behavior you want to see.
- Offer choices.
- Address the child first, not the behavior
- Stay calm
- Build relationships
- Help children feel safe and trusting
- Let children reach out for help without judging
Many things we can do to help understand all behaviors in our world. Take time to build a safe place where you can discover how to learn, work and grow together in success today. Thank you for being the solution daily.