Are you looking for ways to teach students to follow instructions? If so, keep reading.
1. Be a consistent authority figure (e.g., be consistent in relationship with the student).
2. Give the student optional courses of action to prevent total refusal to conform to rules, regulations, expectations, laws, etc. (e.g., return to the classroom).
3. Intervene early and often to prevent the student’s behavior from leading to contagion on the part of other students.
4. Provide instructions in a step-by-step sequence.
5. Select a peer to model following instructions for the student.
6. Talk with the student regularly to ascertain if school rules are being followed.
7. Make sure that all educators keep consistent enforcement of school rules.
8. Let logical consequences happen as a result of the student’s failure to follow instructions from teachers and other school staff members (e.g., tasks are performed incorrectly, detention will be designated, etc.).
9. Restrict the student’s chance to take part in learning activities in which they will not follow instructions from teachers and other school staff members (e.g., recess, industrial arts learning activities, field trips, etc.).
10. Do not let the student be unsupervised anywhere.
11. Along with instructions, give an incentive statement (e.g., “On occasions where you finish your math, you may go outside.” “You may have free time after you finish your work.”).
12. Get the student to orally repeat instructions.
13. Provide instructions in a compassionate rather than a menacing manner (e.g., “Please finish your work.” rather than “You had better finish your work or else!”).
14. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
15. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
16. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.
17. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
18. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
19. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
20. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
