Are you looking for ways to teach students to respond appropriately to teasing? If so, keep reading.
1. Intervene early and often when there is a problem to prevent more severe problems from happening.
2. Remind the student, when they are teasing others, that no harm is meant and that the same holds true when others tease him/her.
3. Teach the student acceptable ways to express displeasure, anger, frustration, etc.
4. Urge others to compliment the student.
5. Convey your feelings in a socially acceptable way.
6. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., laughing, joking in return, etc.) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.
7. Assist the student in learning to deal with teasing that upsets them by having the student avoid the teasing, walk away from the situation, move to another place, etc.
8. Assist the student in understanding that if they cannot accept friendly teasing, it would be best to avoid those situations where teasing may happen.
9. Praise the student for responding properly to friendly teasing: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
10. Praise those students in the classroom who respond properly to friendly teasing.
11. Assess the interaction to ascertain (a) if the interaction is appropriate, (b) if the timing of the interaction is appropriate, and (c) if the student can handle the interaction successfully.
12. Praise the student for responding properly to friendly teasing based on the number of times they can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the number of times required for reinforcement.
13. Always treat the student with the utmost respect. Talk objectively at all times.
14. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
15. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
