Are you looking for strategies to help students who are chronically unhappy? If so, keep reading.
1. Convey concerns to the administration and seek a referral to an agency for investigation of abuse or neglect.
2. Express your concern to the student.
3. Praise the student for engaging in appropriate behavior: (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.).
4. Follow up less desirable learning activities with more desirable learning activities throughout the day to keep interest and assortment.
5. Select a peer to take part in leisure learning activities with the student to create a friendship.
6. Give the student positive feedback that indicates that they are successful, competent, essential, valuable, etc.
7. Provide the student additional duties (e.g., chores, errands, etc.) to give them a feeling of success or accomplishment.
8. Find individuals with whom the student may communicate their concerns or problems (e.g., guidance counselor, school nurse, social worker, school psychologist, etc.).
9. Create the most positive environment possible.
10. Request the student’s input in planning the curriculum and extracurricular learning activities, classes, etc., (i.e., attempt to include student preferences and favored learning activities ).
11. Give the student success-oriented tasks (i.e., the expectation is that success will result in more positive attitudes and perceptions toward self and environment).
12. Solidify the development of friendships with peers (e.g., designate learning activities for the student involving peers, give the student and a peer joint duties, etc.).
13. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Repeated failure will most likely contribute to the student’s unhappiness.
14. Teach the student to be happy with their best effort rather than insisting on perfection (e.g., lessen the emphasis on competition, help the student realize that success is individually defined).
15. Do not emphasize arbitrary levels of success (i.e., rather than absolute excellence, progress of any amount should be considered a measure of success).
16. Show respect for the student’s right to privacy when appropriate.
17. Take the time to listen so the student realizes your concern/interest is genuine.
18. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
19. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
20. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
21. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
22. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
