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Behavior Information |
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The Talker
Action: Identify causes of misbehavior.
Pinpoint student needs being revealed.
Employ specific methods, procedures, and techniques at school and at home for getting the child to modify or change his/her behavior.
- Primary Causes of Misbehavior
- Attention
The continual talking is a way to get attention.
- Primary Needs Being Revealed
- Sexuality
This person has a strong social need. Personal interaction is very important.
- Secondary Needs Being Revealed
- Aggression
This student is attempting to become positively involved with the class or teacher and does not realize that he/she is expressing a negative behavior.
- Affiliation
This student needs to develop a close association with a peer or adult.
- Achievement
This student needs to experience some kind of success through talking, but without disrupting the class and the teacher.
- Status
This person needs to have others know that he/she is "somebody."
- Remember, this is more a social problem than a discipline problem. If treated as a discipline problem, it may become one. The ability to talk is not a negative-nor is it a liability. It's an asset which the student must learn to manage for personal benefit.
- Be aware that this is often a compulsive behavior. It lies between assertion and aggression in a person with a low self-concept.
- Never assume the student knows he/she is talking: The student may or may not know.
- Never assume classmates know the student is talking: They might not even hear.
- Remember, your relationship with one student affects your relationship with all students. How you handle this student can damage your relationship with other students. Don't show a side of you that you don't want other students to see.
- First, react consistently-and never punish irrationally. Don't "get on" the talker one day, and ignore him/her the next.
- Equally important, don't criticize publicly. You will never solve this problem during class time. Private counseling is a must. Approach talking as a social problem, not a discipline problem. This is a counseling situation that requires a plan to change behavior.
- Look for the reason for the talking. If you cannot or will not meet the student's needs, you will not change the behavior.
- The talker has a strong activity need. Give this student small tasks and responsibilities daily to fulfill this need.
- Tell the student you will call on him/her during class discussion. You may even tell the student the question you will be asking.
- Seat the talker near quiet and serious students.
- Station yourself next to this student's desk during presentations. This will keep him/her from talking.
- When this student is talking, don't stop class or say a word. Rather, walk toward his/her desk. This will stop the talker. Likewise, look at this student often.
- Develop a set of hand signals to remind the student when he/she is talking. Don't stop class and reprimand, however.
- Capture and hold attention by calling on the talker often.
- Challenge this student. Never forget, the articulate are often high achievers. The talker should be a good student.
- Reinforce positive behavior and contributions in class.
- Provide alternate materials that can interest this student and that are still class oriented.
- Try incentive programs to encourage attention and preparation.
- To encourage the talker to participate positively, allow him/her to take roll, pass out papers, etc.
- In a private conference, tell the student, "The ability to speak is your asset. Therefore, use it wisely by following some tips. First, think before you speak so that you gain a reputation for being a thinker rather than a talker. Second, speak slowly so that people can absorb what you say. Third, speak quietly and gently to gain the reputation of being a person of depth. Finally, limit your talking. Remember, you can always add a comment, but you can't withdraw one.''
- Discuss the behavior with parents.
- Find time to listen.
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