How to use positive reinforcement in the classroom

Teachers often find that maintaining behavior management is a difficult task to master and takes practice, time, and using different techniques. However, using positive reinforcement in you classroom can promote better behavior management from your students and is easy to do. If positive reinforcement is used the right way in a classroom teachers will see improvement in the behavior management of their classroom. Their are multiple ways to use positive reinforcement in the classroom. First, teachers need to to greet their students every morning with a happy greeting. This will get the students attitude more positive at the beginning of the day. Teachers also want to make sure that they praise their students at the appropriate times. Teachers also want to make sure that they only praise their students when it they deserve it so that when saying "great job" is always meaningful. Teachers also want to make sure that when praising their students that they tell them specifically what they have done right so that the student knows what behavior they should continue practicing. When using positive reinforcement it is important that teachers use it loudly and clearly so that every student can hear them. When the other students hear a particular student getting praised for good behavior this will influence them to do the same. Another way to use positive reinforcement is by rewarding the students. For example, a teacher could give stars to each student for good behavior and by the time that a student has five stars they will be awarded with a fun activity or a free homework pass. It is important that teachers use positive reinforcement right when they see the good behavior. If the reinforcement is delayed students will be confused on what is being praised and nothing will be reinforced. When dealing with behavior issues it is easy to see the bad behavior and punish students for that. It is important that teachers recognize the good behavior more times than the bad behavior.