Question

Geraldine is a kindergarten teacher with 20 stu- dents in her classroom. She runs a number of structured and unstructured activities in the classroom in which the children work individu- ally and in groups. She has found that when the students are in group activities that are less structured (e.g., when engaged in arts and crafts activities around a large table), some students act out. They engage in minor disruptive beha- viors that are reinforced by attention from the other children. Although the behaviors are not  dangerous, they disrupt the class and set a bad example for the other students. Describe how Geraldine could use reprimands effectively to decrease the disruptive behavior.

Answer 1

Reprimands are verbal techniques used to decrease the unwanted behavior or disruptive behavior in children.The effective use reprimands makes significant behavioral changes in children.To make reprimands effective following are the important points;

• Reprimands should be delivered in close proximity to the child. The distance from child blocks the effect of reprimand and that it should be delivered face to face.
• Children should be given early warnings of consequences of misbehavior,so that when a child misbehaves it's not backed by other children.
• Reprimands should be brief because long lectures may create attention seeking behavior in the child that will encourage the misbehavior instead of discouraging it.
• Voice should be firm but words should not be harsh.Avoiding emotions of anger and frustrations while reprimanding makes it more effective and fulfills the aim without hurting the child's emotions.
• Be consistent while reprimanding so that child understands the consequences of his/her bad behavior.Reprimands followed by mild punishment as time out or loss of priveleges increase it's effectiveness.