Phrasing it positively This can be quite difficult to learn, because we are so used to it saying “Don’t!” Nonetheless, is important to avoid negative language and to phrase things in a positive manner. So wean yourself from and “Don’t” “No” “Stop”. In the case of whacking Tom with the ruler a positive way to intervene would be John’s “In this class bashing people with rulers is not allowed, John”. Avoid Never say Labelling People like you are hopeless. Comparison You will never be as smart as your brother. Distancing You make me sick. I to listen to don’t want you anymore. Put down A baby could do this. Sarcasm Were you born in a pig sty? Adapted from () Situation A put-down A positive frame Everyone else in the group TA do you see you have tried really says, “What “I has finished their work mean, you hard on this worksheet. You haven’t finished? except Sam. It is now How much do you really want to get it done. time need? Everybody else has You still have three more got it done! questions to go, though. We will tackle Don’t worry. them next time. Well done. Adapted from Bentham () How to use praise Bentham calls this them when they are It is also known as the “catching good”. “leveraging a child who is normally difficult is not being difficult, this represents an exception”. When opportunity for praise. In any case it is important for students to realise that the way to get attention and praise is to do their work. ) emphasises that the praise must be sincere. You
Phrasing it positively This can be quite difficult to learn, because we are so used to saying “Don’t!” Nonetheless, it is important to avoid negative language and to phrase things in a positive manner. So wean yourself from “Don’t” “No” and “Stop”. In the case of John’s whacking Tom with the ruler a positive way to intervene would be “In this class bashing people with rulers is not allowed, John”. Avoid Never say Labelling People like you are hopeless. Comparison You will never be as smart as your brother. Distancing You make me sick. I don’t want to listen to you anymore. Put down A baby could do this. Sarcasm Were you born in a pig sty? Adapted from () Situation A put-down A positive frame Everyone else in the group has finished their work except Sam. It is now TA says, “What do you mean, you haven’t finished? How much time do you need? Everybody else has got it done! “I see you have tried really hard on this worksheet. You really want to get it done. You still have three more questions to go, though. Don’t worry. We will tackle them next time. Well done. Adapted from Bentham () How to use praise Bentham calls this “catching them when they are good”. It is also known as “leveraging the exception”. When a child who is normally difficult is not being difficult, this represents an opportunity for praise. In any case it is important for students to realise that the way to get attention and praise is to do their work. ) emphasises that the praise must be sincere. You
Supporting-the-Students-Workbook.docx