Understanding Student Behavior Choices: Insights from Research

By Khadia Henry

 

As educators, we've all encountered students who struggle with following directions, staying focused, or managing distractions, but have you ever wondered why these behaviors occur? Research suggests that many challenging behaviors are rooted in skill deficits or instructional gaps. In my own classroom, I've seen the power of positive reinforcement and skills instruction in transforming student behavior. By providing clear expectations, modeling desired behaviors, and offering positive reinforcement, we can help students master essential skills and reduce problem behaviors. 

One strategy that's worked well for me is the Mystery Motivator approach, which uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. I've seen level five behaviors dropped to level 0 in less than a week under the Mystery Moticvator approach. Having that Mysterry reward at the end of the intervention was a look out for my students. They worked together to meet the behavioral expectation. A random student is selected each time, but only if the class meets the behavioral expectation. this strategy has worked wonders in my classroom as it increases motivation, encourages peer support and of course reduce problem behaviors.

 Another effective strategy is the Good Behavior Game (GBG), which promotes good behavior in group settings.  In my class teams compete against each other to earn points and rewards. This strategy reduces problem behaviors, improves academic performance and develops a classroom of helpers. Remember, understanding student behavior choices is key to developing effective interventions.

By staying informed about the latest research and best practices, we can better support our students and help them succeed. Always remember, " It is by education that we become prepared for our duties and responsibilities in life."

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