Rules
Rules create clear expectations for the children and need to define
what is acceptable behaviour. These must be reinforced on a regular
basis and placed in a visible place on the classroom wall. Include the
children in developing the rules as this will give them ownership and
they will be more likely to accept their terms and conditions and
therefore comply.
Routines
Routines help to minimise behavioural challenges in the classroom
and are key to a well-managed and organised classroom. Children
enjoy routines that are easy to understand and easy to accomplish,
yet flexible enough to alter if circumstances change. Research shows
that most behavioural problems result from a lack of consistent
classroom routines.
Tips: Rules
• When designing your classroom rules, they should be:
– clear
– comprehensive
– enforceable.
• Write the rules in a positive way and avoid using ‘don‘ts‘. For
example, ‘I will walk sensibly around the school‘ rather than
‘Don‘t run around the school‘.
• Children require understandable directions. Hence, the rules
need to be specific and explainable, e.g. telling children to ‘Be
good‘ or ‘Don‘t do that‘ is too vague.
• Display the class rules and go over them with the children on
a regular basis.
• Check children‘s understanding of the rules.
• Explain the rationale behind the rules.
• Be consistent in enforcing the outcomes for breaches of the
rules when an incident occurs.