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Simple Tips for Dealing with Difficult Students

Teaching difficult students can take the wind from the sails of even the finest teacher.

frustrated teacher

Student behavior problems not only affect the teacher, but they distract those students that truly want to learn. Disruptive students take time and energy away from the teacher and this leaves less time for teaching and learning. Difficult students also put a damper on the mood of the classroom.

An effective teacher will recognize and address disruptive students immediately. If the student has parents that are involved in their child’s education, then a phone call home may be effective as an intervention. Some parents, however, are less involved and will almost certainly do nothing to minimize their child’s negative classroom behavior. In these instances, it is important to find a consequence that makes an impact.

For some students, the negative attention that they receive from the teacher is actually a motivator. Sometimes, a subtle approach is more successful. A simple “meet me after class” will often do wonders, especially if said out loud in class. Also, children value their free time and taking it away from them can be very effective.

Behavior assignments are also a great deterrent. Try creating a worksheet that asks general questions such as:

  1. What rule did you break? Why?
  2. What is your plan for behaving more appropriately next time?
  3. How does your behavior affect others?
  4. Write an apology to those that were affected by your behavior.
  5. Why is it important to follow the rules?


Keep several photocopies of these “behavior assignments” around and hand them out as needed to difficult and/or disruptive students. Perhaps you could even remove a special privilege from the student until he or she completes the assignment.

Student contracts are another great way to motivate students that could use a little “nudge” to behave better in class. Student contracts set the classroom expectations then describe the rewards and consequences that go along with following (or not following) the contract. For some students, this is just the “nudge” they need.

You’ll find a student contract in each of the following contract packages:

www.TeenBehaviorContracts.com

www.Behavior-Contracts.com

www.ParentCoachPlan.com

And finally, try developing and implementing a classroom discipline plan that focuses on respecting others, following expectations, and behaving in a safe and appropriate manner. A well-executed classroom discipline plan can help to maintain structure and consistency for the students – and with these elements in place, your students are likely to benefit and behave in a more positive manner.

Good Luck!

Printable Parenting Tools and Child Discipline Tips!

This site was created for parents, teachers, and caregivers of all types that are looking for solutions to their “behaviorally challenged” children. We’re here to help you develop a style of discipline for your child that is firm, fair, consistent, and predictable.

Do you have a child that…

  • tests your limits?
  • pushes your buttons?
  • ignores the rules?
  • runs the household?

Would you like to put an end to your child’s…

  • constant arguing?
  • disrespectful behavior?
  • annoying habits?
  • sense of entitlement?

If you can relate to any of the questions above, then we think you came to the right place! 

The Parent Coach Plan is an in-home behavior management program designed to improve child behavior through the use of a structured “point system” similar to those used in residential treatment facilities that treat “behaviorally-challenged” children and teens.

This exclusive parenting program will provide you with all of the information, advice, and tools you’ll need in order to implement a simple and effective behavior management program in your home.

You’ll acquire the insight and confidence you need to finally reach your true parenting potential!

  • Nurture an environment of responsibility and respect
  • Strengthen your parent-child relationship
  • Establish firm, fair, consistent, and structured discipline
  • Hold your child accountable for his/her negative behavior
  • Develop new discipline strategies to address problem behaviors
  • Learn to communicate more effectively with your child or teen

Unlike some parenting programs, The Parent Coach Plan requires no college degree or special training to use and it can be easily implemented without breaking the bank.

discipline program

So how does The Parent Coach Plan work?

Parents need only to follow a simple set of steps in order to implement The Parent Coach Plan in their home.

  1. Parents determine the problem behaviors they want to target using the Checklist of Concerns.
  2. Behavioral goals are then assigned to the child using the provided List of Goals.
  3. Goals are written on the child’s Point Sheet then detailed on the Goal Descriptions worksheet.
  4. Rewards and consequences are determined on the child’s Contract for Rewards and Consequences.
  5. Points are assigned by the parent(s) each evening based on the child’s ability to meet the assigned goals.  These “points” are then documented on the child’s Point Sheet and monthly Calendar.
  6. Rewards and consequences are earned by the child based on his/her Contract for Rewards and Consequences.
  7. Parents then enforce the contract as stated!

That’s it!  It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s ready to be used shortly after purchase! 

All necessary forms are provided and detailed instructions are included as well.

Includes FREE printable parenting tools with purchase!

You read that correctly!  Along with your purchase of The Parent Coach Plan, you will receive a FREE download of our popular Behavior Management Package.

What is the Behavior Management Package?

The Behavior Management Package is an exclusive set of downloadable parenting tools that can be used individually or in addition to The Parent Coach Plan. 

The package includes…

  • A set of (8) prewritten behavior contracts
  • A behavior improvement chart
  • Our “Behavior Bucks” token economy system
  • A chore chart
  • And a “fill-in-the-blanks” behavior contract form

Again, The Behavior Management Package comes FREE with your purchase of The Parent Coach Plan…or you can purchase it separately (right here) for only $14.95. 

Why try The Parent Coach Plan?

This unique behavior program is as close as it gets to being an “instruction manual for your child.”  You won’t find any irrelevant psyco-babble or useless case studies in this program…just solid parenting advice, helpful discipline tips, and a fabulous in-home behavior program!

What now?

Parents: Ready to Elevate Your Parenting Game?

parenting

Parenting is tough!

There are a few crucial components that must be in place if parents wish to effectively manage their child’s difficult, annoying, defiant, and/or inappropriate behaviors.  These components are quite literally a recipe for positive parenting.

What are the “components” that parents need?

  • They need a strong, dedicated support system
  • They need smart, straightforward advice when needed
  • They need patience, dedication, and a good deal of common-sense
  • They need useful, informative resources
  • and they need practical, effective parenting tools

What kind of “parenting tools?”

There are a wide range of exceptional parenting tools available to parents – but there’s one in particular that deserves some special attention: The Parent Coach Plan

The Parent Coach Plan is a comprehensive and easy-to-use behavior management tool with many labels.  It can be referred to as a…

Parenting ProgramDiscipline Program
– Child Discipline Plan– Parenting System
– Behavior Program– Behavioral “Point System”
ParentCoachPlan.com

Whatever you choose to call it – the objective is the same:  to improve child behavior through the use of an in-home behavior management system designed to help parents instill a firm, fair, consistent, and structured discipline regimen.

Basically, the philosophy behind it is that BETTER PARENTING = BETTER BEHAVIOR

Why Try a Child Behavior Program?

Why not? 

A well-utilized behavior program provides structure and consistency in the home. 

Children have a tendency to respond well to structure and consistency.

A detailed behavior program helps to establish firm limits and clear expectations.

This creates less confusion and less ambiguity regarding household rules.

A well-thought-out behavior program holds children accountable for their negative behavior.

There’s no more “getting off easy!”

A customizable behavior program can be modified to meet the various/changing needs of the child.

New issues or behaviors appearing?  No problem – simply adjust the program as needed!

How much time and effort are required to set up and use the program?

Both are simple. 

The program can be set up and ready to use within a short period of time – usually less than 30 minutes!  After that, there is only a minimal amount of effort needed each day/evening in order to effectively utilize the program in your home.

Behavior Management Tips for Parents

behavior management

Behavior management is crucial to positive and effective parenting.  To manage behavior effectively, parents should start out by adhering to a few simple guidelines:

Maintain composure while parenting – especially while disciplining.

Losing one’s ability to remain cool means that there are now two people in need of intervention.

Know when to act and when to ignore specific behaviors.

Rule of thumb: If it is dangerous, illegal, or immoral, then act.  If it is simply annoying or disruptive – ignore.  Ultimately, it is up to the parent to decide how (or if) to respond.

Provide structure and consistency.

Without these two elements in place, children will feel anxious and uncertain.  This may also make them want to “test the waters.”

Set firm boundaries and clear expectations.

Behavior management is next to impossible without these two factors in place.

Make sure consequences are administered swiftly.

The quicker the consequence, the bigger the impact on the child receiving it.

Use behavior management to teach, not to control.

Behavior management is not about exerting power and control over a child – it is about redirecting and teaching.

Sure, behavior management is not always as easy as this list might lead you to believe – but these six pieces of advice are a good place to start. 

Parenting can be a daunting task.  It is often a challenging, exhausting, and thankless job.  It is important to remember, however, that it is perhaps the most important role you will ever have.  The ability to manage behavior in a firm, calculated manner takes confidence, insight, and know-how.  Parenting is a game of trial and error.  Some behavior management techniques may work well with some children – but not with others.  Keep trying – don’t get discouraged!

If you are looking for a fabulous behavior management tool, then The Parent Coach Plan might be just what you are looking for!  This exclusive parenting program is designed for parents looking to reach their peak parenting potential!  It is simple to use and can be downloaded and implemented right away! 

Ready to up your parenting game?

parenting tools 5

Q & A: Struggling with Our Grandson

teen boy
Stock Photo

Question:
URGENT! In 2004 I retired after 30+ years as accountant in the aerospace industry. About 15 months later, we inherited our teenage grandson to live with us because he got into very serious legal problems and placed on 3 yr probation, 2 years are remaining. His probation has a 7 pm curfew requiring that he be in our house every day by 7 pm. He could not continue living with his mother, our daughter, even though she lives close by and remains active in his life. I am his legal appointed guardian. He is now 16. He has made great improvements overall his life during the past year but struggles with keeping his probation curfew. We have just learned he is possibly using marijuana. He has great potential to be a good student, athlete, and a positive contribution to society. But if he continues to violate his probation, he will likely end up in a Texas Youth Commission facility for a long time. I need help establishing consequences, setting boundaries and whatever else you can offer. He functions very well in a structured environment with well-defined and enforced boundaries.


Answer:
My advice to you is to hold your grandson accountable for missed curfews and for any other activities that violate his probation. I would get to know his probation officer quite well (if you don’t already) then report each and every violation immediately to that officer. Be sure to let your grandson know that this will be your new “policy” for dealing with his non-compliance until he can demonstrate more responsible behavior.

You may also ask the probation department to begin administering random drug tests and or even try using an electronic home monitoring device. The “threat” of this may be all he needs to straighten up.

The products on our site (www.teenbehaviorcontracts.com) could be very helpful, especially if your grandson responds well to structure and consistency. You could use the behavior program and the contracts together to establish some clear behavioral expectations as well as the privileges and consequences that will result from his behavior.

I hope this helps.