Anticipating Problem Behavior

One of the simplest and perhaps most effective proactive strategies for managing problem behavior in school and classroom situations is precorrection. This behavior management strategy is based on three defining teacher actions: (a) identify the context (e.g., when, where, how) in which a problem behavior is most likely to occur, (b) modify features of this context beforehand to reduce the likelihood that the problem behavior will occur and increase the likelihood that more socially appropriate behaviors will occur, and (c) provide positive reinforcement for displays of the desired behavior. For example, if Johnny, Joe, and Molly will be excited and hard to manage when they enter the classroom after recess, their teacher might meet them at the door, help them ...