Helpful teacher behaviours and communication
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Respond safely to challenging situations’
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Demonstrate growth mindset and self-regulation
Demonstrate growth mindset and self-regulation
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Adopt helpful communication responses
Adopt helpful communication responses
The way we speak, our body language, and proximity can have a positive impact on an escalating situation.
- Talk quietly, even when the person is loud.
- Try to remain calm and respectful.
- Monitor your own body language and allow the student the opportunity to move out of the situation with dignity.
- Focus on communicating respect and your desire to help.
- Keep verbal interactions respectful.
- When appropriate, give the student clear choices and/or directions to help them feel more secure and regain control.
Setting limits and seeking assistance
Setting limits and seeking assistance
Setting limits is about providing clear boundaries for the child or young person to respond. It is a step-by-step procedure aimed at helping a child or young person to feel more secure and to regain control. (View example script)
A high probability instruction is one the child or young person is likely to follow. It aims to defuse a situation by diverting attention or giving the child or young person a face-saving way to extricate themselves from a developing situation.
Examples:
- Let’s go for a walk around the playground.
- Will you go and get the swimming key for me?
Source: Positive Behaviour for Learning (opens in a new tab/window)
Avoid unhelpful responses
Avoid unhelpful responses
The way we respond can affect the outcome of a situation.
Taking an authoritarian approach can encourage opposition and defiance.
Lecturing, arguing, counselling, threatening, and answering back do not defuse heated situations.
The following are examples of common responses that are unhelpful:
- ignoring (this is only acceptable if the behaviour is minor)
- reasoning
- reprimands
- sarcasm and public humiliation
- sending out of the room
- threatening to inform whānau
- restraint
- informal suspension.
Read the common responses information sheet to find out why these responses are not recommended.
Source: Positive Behaviour for Learning (opens in a new tab/window)
Seek assistance from other staff members
Seek assistance from other staff members
Working in partnership, two teachers can set limits, with:
- Teacher A giving directions
- Teacher B in a supportive role, concentrating on managing and defusing the situation and thus protecting others.
Note: Seeing another teacher could cause a student’s behaviour to escalate.
Source: Positive Behaviour for Learning (opens in a new tab/window)
Useful resources
Useful resources
Positive Behaviour for Learning information sheet: Common responses
Read time: 11 min
Suggested responses to minor misbehaviours.
Publisher: Positive Behaviour for Learning
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Respond safely to challenging situations”:
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Behaviour and learning
Understand:
- Understanding behaviour
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Understanding how to respond to problem behaviourShow suggestions for Understanding how to respond to problem behaviour
Strategies for action:
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Foster positive relationships and partnershipsShow suggestions for Foster positive relationships and partnerships
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Collaboratively develop a safe and caring culture and climateShow suggestions for Collaboratively develop a safe and caring culture and climate
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Supporting language and communication skillsShow suggestions for Supporting language and communication skills
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Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental healthShow suggestions for Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental health
- Anticipate, monitor, and plan for responding to child stress
- Strengthen student identity
- Teach stress management, anxiety and coping skills
- Offer relaxation options and downtime activities
- Teach how to recognise emotions and options for expressing feelings
- Providing support following traumatic experiences
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Enable access and participation in learningShow suggestions for Enable access and participation in learning
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Respond safely to challenging situationsShow suggestions for Respond safely to challenging situations
- Use de-escalating behaviour strategies
- Helpful teacher behaviours and communication
- Respond safely to physical aggression
- Managing an incident
- Collaboratively develop a behaviour plan
