Few things are more frustrating for a teacher than students who refuse to listen or follow instructions. In every classroom, there seems to be at least one or two who struggle with listening skills and classroom behavior. To make matters worse, their selective hearing impairment seems contagious.
Even though this has become even more challenging for teachers now, there is hope. Love and Logic has heard from many teachers who tell us how they have succeeded in changing their relationship with kids who previously were the primary troublemakers in their classrooms.
How do successful teachers (and parents) teach kids to listen? Listed below are some suggestions that successful teachers use to build cooperation and strengthen listening skills:
Build Special Relationships with Your Most Resistant Students
Great teachers know that tough students are far more likely to listen to teachers who they love and respect. Strong teacher-student relationships are essential for getting kids to listen.
Set Limits Only for Things Over Which You Have Total Control
Unsuccessful teachers and parents are famous for attempting to set limits on things they could never control in a million years. Successful teachers use enforceable statements to set limits.
For example, great teachers say things like, “I give full credit to papers handed in on time.” Less successful teachers say, “Hand your papers in on time.”
Enforce Limits Without Repeated Warnings and Reminders
Effective parents and teachers remember that kids will always come to need at least the same number of warnings and reminders as the warnings and reminders that they are given. Avoiding reminders and letting the consequences do the teaching is critical for strengthening student responsibility.
Additional Resources for Teachers
We have a free article on the website, How to Create A Love and Logic Classroom, which can help teachers create a positive learning environment in their classrooms.
For additional ideas on building cooperative teacher-student relationships, applying enforceable statements in the classroom, and managing behavior while you teach, listen to our audio, Quick and Easy Classroom Interventions: 23 Proven Tools for Increasing Student Cooperation.
We have just started our Spring Sale and everything on the website is 20% off. Now is a great time to order this helpful audio.
Thanks for reading!
Jim Fay and Charles Fay, Ph.D.
