Applying behaviorism to our classrooms
By Cindy Sexton
EDI 600 Psychological Foundation of Education
School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
March 3, 2009
Behavior management is such an interesting topic to me as a teacher because this is an area that differs from teacher to teacher. Everyday in my classroom, I’m faced with behavior management issues and it requires a teacher to constantly be on their toes. Given my students age, 3-6 years, I usually deal with the behaviors immediately as they occur.
After today’s discussion about the different behavior theories, I’ve realized that I use almost all of them on a daily basis. For example, I frequently go to the craft store and buy various stickers for the class. When a child is having a really great day or they do or say something special I announce that they earned a special sticker. I then go into a special file and pull out a few different stickers for the child to choose from. This represents positive reinforcement.
When a child acts out or behaves in a poor manner, one consequence that I use is telling them they will have to visit another classroom if they don’t behave. Often times, when a child in class misbehaves or has a tantrum, we have to remove them from the room and have them step outside as to not disturb the other children. Sometimes it is not possible to take them out so we, as teachers, tell them they will have to visit another class if they don’t stop. The children usually never want to go to another class so typically they pull it together and behave. This method represents a negative reinforcement. The children have an idea of what they don’t want and use that as their tool to toe the line.
Of course, with this age group, I probably use the extinction theory the most. Sometimes it is best to ignore a behavior all together. My only question is what theory a “look” falls into. My children know me so well and know that I’m pretty strict as far as behavior goes. Sometimes all I have to do is look at them and they know to stop. What category would that fall into?
Long Island University, C. W. Post
March 3, 2009
Behavior management is such an interesting topic to me as a teacher because this is an area that differs from teacher to teacher. Everyday in my classroom, I’m faced with behavior management issues and it requires a teacher to constantly be on their toes. Given my students age, 3-6 years, I usually deal with the behaviors immediately as they occur.
After today’s discussion about the different behavior theories, I’ve realized that I use almost all of them on a daily basis. For example, I frequently go to the craft store and buy various stickers for the class. When a child is having a really great day or they do or say something special I announce that they earned a special sticker. I then go into a special file and pull out a few different stickers for the child to choose from. This represents positive reinforcement.
When a child acts out or behaves in a poor manner, one consequence that I use is telling them they will have to visit another classroom if they don’t behave. Often times, when a child in class misbehaves or has a tantrum, we have to remove them from the room and have them step outside as to not disturb the other children. Sometimes it is not possible to take them out so we, as teachers, tell them they will have to visit another class if they don’t stop. The children usually never want to go to another class so typically they pull it together and behave. This method represents a negative reinforcement. The children have an idea of what they don’t want and use that as their tool to toe the line.
Of course, with this age group, I probably use the extinction theory the most. Sometimes it is best to ignore a behavior all together. My only question is what theory a “look” falls into. My children know me so well and know that I’m pretty strict as far as behavior goes. Sometimes all I have to do is look at them and they know to stop. What category would that fall into?
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