Praise and Disruptive Behavior
Schelia Limon
October 2016
PS512
Abstract
This paper will discuss the effects of praise on reducing disruptive behavior over a period of time. There is a clear behavior that is needing change, disruptive behavior, and we can change this behavior by implementing praise. The participant is a single subject whom is in the 2nd grade. We will examine whether praise can help reduce the disruptive behavior or if we will have to find another intervention to help reduce this disruptive behavior that is being displayed in the classroom.
Praise and Disruptive Behavior
Numerous studies have been conducted that look at using praise in order to decrease disruptive behaviors in the classroom. With my study I will look at the effects of using praise to reduce the disruptive behaviors of a 2nd grade student during class time. The three studies I have chosen to look at that use praise to decrease unwanted behaviors are a classroom teacher consultation model for increasing praise and decreasing disruptive behavior, positive attending to improve student behavior, and direct behavioral consultation. My first article looks at a classroom checkup that addresses the need for classroom-level support while minimizing treatment integrity problems which are common to school-based consultation (Reinke, Lewis-Palmer, & Merrell, 2008). My second article focuses on the teachers to improve student behavior in the classroom and this is
(b) The data for this study came from a sample of 6,988 children enrolled at 21 elementary schools that participated in a randomized trial of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS). This trial specifically included data on instances of
Challenging inappropriate behaviour posed by children nowadays is one of the most daunting issued faced by teachers. Few matters affect teachers more directly and persistently than managing classroom behaviour (Jim Docking, 2000). Being able to manage a classroom I found is one of the most fundamental aspects in being able to teach today. Through this critique I will investigate the different studies relating to behaviour management within a classroom, looking pacifically at several behavioural issues within a classroom and where they stem from, as well as looking into studies based on the praise system and how it is used in schools. I want to look at fundamental theorists and give a brief insight into their studies through my own experience and research I have looked into.
It is important that the adult influences of the classroom recognise and praise the positive behaviour of individual pupils – especially those who struggle to maintain good behaviour and tend to be told off more than others. It is also essential to praise constant good behaviour (from pupils who never misbehave) to avoid the development inappropriate behaviour. Children respond to all kinds of positive praise. In my setting, the class teacher and LSA’s often add positive words like ‘fantastic’, ‘brilliant’ or ‘well done’ when acknowledging their input towards the class. We also use house tokens to
McKevitt, B. C., & Braaksma, A. D. (2008). Best practices in developing a positive behavior support system at the school level. In A. Thomas & J. Grimes (Eds.), Best practices in school psychology (5th ed., pp. 735–747). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.
Listen to the child and make a record of any key information with names, dates and times.
Reinforcement is an essential part in identifying and encouraging a certain behavior. In the most classic definition, positive reinforcement is a method of identifying to children which behaviors are acceptable and appropriate and which are not (Sigler, E. & Aamidor, S, 2005). Reinforcement is often given as praise for doing a certain task. As educators, saying “great job” or a simple word like “fantastic” are expressed towards students as praise. However, when a student is struggling and praise is given such as “you are doing so well”, the negative aspects of praise present themselves. The child is aware of the empty praise therefore it may work against the teacher if it is taken as a false
Regardless of age, we all like to be noticed and praised for something good that we have done. Research has shown that in order to balance out a negative, we need to be given 6 positives. It is important therefore, to recognise and reward positive behaviour, especially for those pupils who perhaps need to be reprimanded more than others. Whilst it can be easier to simply react to the negative aspects of a child’s behaviour with “don’t do this, don’t do that”, it is also really important to point out what they are doing well, whether it’s sitting nicely, listening well, joining in, following instructions, etc. It is also important not to forget those children who always behave appropriately and openly praise them too. In the 1940’s BF
My classroom management philosophy is rooted in B.F. Skinner’s Behavior Modification theory. I believe that negative and positive reinforcements are a key aspect in classroom management. Providing reinforcement increases the probability that a desired behavior will occur, while undesired behaviors will stop because they are not being reinforced (Manning and Bucher 47). Students who are demonstrating unacceptable behaviors may even begin to change their behavior in hopes of gaining approval through reinforcement (Manning and Bucher 47). In particular, I advocate for this theory because it also serves as another way to continuously reiterate classroom expectations. Through daily dialogue in the classroom, students will be able to understand which behaviors are supported, acceptable, and encouraged and which behaviors are ignored, unacceptable, and discouraged. Continuously putting this into practice will foster a supportive classroom climate with clear expectations. Throughout my field experiences in Horry County, I have seen this strategy used with success. I believe that once I have established relationships with my students this will be the most effective course of action for modifying their misbehaviors.
Verbal praise is a form of positive punishment. In a study using 2 ½ to 7-year-olds praise was used to reward compliance by the parents in the home (Owen, 2012). Parent training on elements of praise and positive attention was conducted at the onset of the study. The setting of this study was conducted in the home setting for handling noncompliance. The methods of punishment explored for this study were the effects of parental praise, positive nonverbal responses, reprimand, and negative nonverbal responses.
There are many strategies to address behavior deficits in the classroom, and each behavior requires specific and individualized attention. The two case studies (Grand Canyon University, 2016) detailing the behavior issues of Doug and Ellie are prime examples of situations in which behavior intervention is necessary. This paper will discuss the particular behaviors involved and outline explicit plans for increasing positive behavior exhibited from each child.
This article offers strategies for teachers to use to help their most challenging students with behavioral issues. One of the authors is a child psychiatrist who works with at-risk children and the other is a behavior analyst and special educator. Their approach is based on the premise that educators can only control certain elements in the classroom and their own behavior when it comes to students with challenging behavior. The created the acronym FAIR:”F is for understanding the function of the behavior, A is for accommodations, I is for interaction strategies, and R is for responses” (2). The function of behavior can include escaping from something, obtaining a tangible thing, engaging in sensory activities, and getting attention. These functions are the benefits the student gets from the behavior. The escape motivated behavior happens when a student tries to avoid a “task, demand, situation, or person” (3). The tangible behavior occurs when the student wants to get objects like money or feed or something else they want. Sensory behavior happens when a student tries to get the attention of an adult or classmate. This can occur when the student is “bellergent, screaming, or continually interrupting the teacher” (3). Negative attention can reinforce attention-seeking behavior because it is better than nothing and the student may prefer it because it is more predictable than positive attention. Taking ABC
Welcome parents and student to Franklin County Elementary. Our superintendent of education has recently decided to implement a school wide positive behavior support. This approach to discipline includes school-wide, targeted, and individualized strategies for achieving social and learning outcomes while preventing problem behavior with all students. It involves modifying our processes and procedures to help decrease problem behaviors. You will see that we have added reminders throughout the school (in the classrooms, hallways, lunchroom, bathrooms, etc.) as a friendly reminder of the rules to encourage good behavior. Our goal is to get more remarks for positive behavior than incident reports for negative behavior every week. The remainder of this paper will outline our School Wide Positive Behavior Support, explaining behavior expectations, rewards, error correction procedures, and data collection procedures.
Authoritative teachers will often “try to catch their students being good” and will reinforce the good behavior, rather than focusing on the bad. (Iannelli, 2004). It is critical that teachers praise their students for their efforts. A teacher can teach the entire classroom by recognizing one child’s positive action. Children desire praise and they will learn appropriate behavior when their fellow students receive praise. When teachers focus on bad behavior and make an example of a particular student to the entire classroom, it only makes the child that is being reprimanded feel alienated, ashamed, embarrassed, or possibly revengeful.
It is known that constant praise is an effective way for motivation. Praising hold the power to change one behavior positively and greatly improves one’s progress. Genuine praise is a great way to encourage and continue to help one increase his or her performances. In learning, praise is always necessary because praising a student is a way of creating a support system where students’ efforts are recognize through tangible awards, students are expected to go beyond their abilities and skills, and strive for success. Students learn to recognize their strengths and weaknesses through continuous praise and feedback. Consequently, they are not afraid to take risk that will greatly contribute to their success and achievements.
In the 1960s, studies from Madsen et al. (1968); Zimmerman and Zimmerman (1962); and Hall et al. (1968) demonstrated the positive effects of contingent teacher praise. As the years have progressed, similar research illustrated equal effectiveness in various age levels ranging from infants to adults. On the contrary, low rates of teacher praise has also been documented by various researchers including Baker and Zigmond (1990); Deno et al. (1990); Gable et al. (1983); Nowacek et al. (1990); and Ysseldyke et al. (1984). These reports indicate that expressions of verbal disapproval by teachers are more likely to occur than verbal approval especially from Grade three and above.