Classroom management (young students)

• Noise

Do not expect primary school students to work in silence. It is normal for children to laugh and talk to each other while they are doing an activity.They want to know what their partner has done and, especially, who has finished first!

Rather than trying to prevent them from communicating normally with each other, prompt them to speak in English. Provide them with the language they need for this communication, e.g. Have you finished? Look at my picture! Oh! That's pretty! What's that? You can best do this by using this language yourself.

• Movement

Children need to move around. The school day is long and we cannot reasonably expect them to sit at desks all day. Try to include at least one moving activity in each lesson. Let them stand up or clap and act songs and rhymes.

• Flexibility

Be prepared to change the order of your activities in your lesson plan to take into account the mood of your students. If they seem unruly at the beginning of the lesson, start off with a physical activity. If they get restless halfway through the lesson, stop what you are doing and get them moving.

• Consistency

Be consistent. If your students know what you expect of them it will be easier for them to behave appropriately. This can be hard because as teachers we also have our good days and bad days! Do not expect students to be good always. Those of us have children of our own know that their behaviour varies from day to day.

• Fairness

Do not label children as "difficult" just because they, or their brothers and sisters, have a history of disruptive behaviour. Try to show them that you have no preconceived ideas about them. If you allow children to think that you expect them to be naughty, you will, almost certainly, not be disappointed!

• Positive reinforcement

Always emphasise and reinforce the good things that students do. Children love public encouragement, so make sure that the other students hear you praising and appreciating someone's work or conduct. Remember that all students need this praise, even the ones who do not always demand your approval. Never humiliate or use your advantages of age and experience to belittle a student no matter what they have done. Serious violations of the rules should always be dealt with privately.