1. Proactive Behavior Management
The exploration of the benefits of proactive vs. reactive behavior management
Guiding and managing behavior January 26, 2017 by: Grace Hege
2. Proactive behavior management is: Taking charge of a
situation and causing things to happen.
Proactive behavior management is better than reactive behavior management
because:
It teaches students to manage themselves while reactive responses make
students dependent on the teacher to manage them.
It promotes positive behavior by not drawing attention to negative behavior and
by creating an atmosphere that promotes good behavior.
in the proactive approach the teacher tries to avoid conflict before it happens,
whereas the reactive approach only temporarily addresses the issue.
It is less stressful for the teacher when issues come up if she has proactively dealt
with them.
3. Proactive behavior management strategies include,
but are not limited to:
• Clearly outline expectations and even allowing students to help set
expectations so students have a sense of ownership of the requirements
and know what is expected of them
• Keep a positive attitude– expect your students to succeed.
• Praises students for appropriate behavior.
• Builds a relationship with the students.
• Implement a routine for everything and practice procedures not
punishments.
• Show students the power of their influence on the way classroom is run and
make a clear connection between the way they behave and the way you
behave.
4. Proactive behavior management strategies
include, but are not limited to:
• Clearly outline expectations and even allowing students to help set expectations so
students have a sense of ownership of the requirements and know what is expected of
them
• Keep a positive attitude– expect your students to succeed
• Praises students for appropriate behavior.
• Builds a relationship with the students.
• Implement a routine for everything and practice procedures not punishments.
• Show students the power of their influence on the way classroom is run and make a
clear connection between the way they behave and the way you behave.
5. Proactive behavior management strategies
include, but are not limited to:
Clearly outline expectations and even allowing students to help set expectations
so students have a sense of ownership of the requirements and know what is
expected of them
Keep a positive attitude– expect your students to succeed
Praises students for appropriate behavior.
Build a relationship with the students.
Implement a routine for everything and practice procedures not punishments.
Show students the power of their influence on the way classroom is run and
make a clear connection between the way they behave and the way you behave.
6. Proactive behavior management creates a positive atmosphere in
the classroom. A positive atmosphere is created by positive attitudes in the
teacher and consequently the students. The teacher believes in her students’
abilities and talents. Relationships are built between student and teacher and
student to student making an atmosphere where students are comfortable and
being their best self. The students know what is expected of them and they know
the consequences of not following the rules. They are
Praised for their good behavior
prompting them to continue and
encouraging others to do the same.
This atmosphere may take some work
to create but it will be well worth the
effort.
7. Personal reflection
Sources: www.ehow.co.uk; www.makeadentleadership.com;
www.thecornerstoneforteachers.com
I see proactive behavior management as the ideal way to deal with negative
behavior in the classroom. It is dealing with the problem before the problem
even exists so essentially it avoids problems in behavior. There will be times
when reactive behavior must be used such as in the case of a student braking
a rule. Consequences for the misbehavior must be carried out. If rules are not
enforced students will learn that rules mean nothing and they will be of no use
in their proactive role. Believing in the students and building a relationship
with them is also very important. Studying this subject of proactive behavior
management has been a great tool and I’m glad for all I have learned about
it.
Grace Hege
