Are you looking for ways to teach students not to blurt out answers during class? If so, keep reading.
1. Make sure that reinforcement is not provided for unacceptable behavior(e.g., paying attention to the student only when they blurt out answers without being called on).
2. Praise the student for raising their hand to be recognized.
3. Show the student why they have been asked not to talk.
4. Give the student a predetermined signal if they begin to blurt out answers without being called on.
5. Give constant, positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior. Ignore as many unacceptable behaviors as possible.
6. Urge the student to self-monitor their impulsivity. Awareness should lessen impulsive behaviors.
7. Get the student to work in small groups in which there are frequent chances to speak. As the student learns to wait longer for a turn to speak, slowly increase the size of the group.
8. Assess the appropriateness of the social situation concerning the student’s capacity and ability to function successfully.
9. Organize the student’s surroundings to limit chances for unacceptable behaviors (e.g., keep the student engaged in learning activities, have the student seated near the teacher, allow several responses when appropriate, etc.).
10. Teach yourself and others about ADHD to increase comprehension and accommodation of impatient behavior.
11. Give the student an easily grasped list of consequences for unacceptable behavior.
12. Assist the student in improving concentration skills (e.g., listening to the speaker, taking notes, preparing remarks in advance, making remarks in an appropriate context, etc.).
13. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the student to become overexcited and blurt out answers without being called on.
14. Teach the student about ADHD and the need for developing skills to self-monitor behavior.
15. Urge the student to create an understanding of themselves and those around him/her. Get the student to periodically step back and ask themselves, “Am I blurting out answers and dominating the conversation?”
16. Urge the student to create an understanding of the consequences of their behavior by writing down or talking through problems that may happen due to their impulsivity (e.g., perceived as unmannerly, avoided, etc.).
17. Make the student aware of the number of times they blurt out answers without being called on.
18. Train the student to carry a notepad with him/ her at all times and to write information down to help them remember.
19. Make sure the student does not become overstimulated by a learning experience.
20. Get the student to practice waiting for short periods for a turn to speak. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for a turn to speak.
21. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
22. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
23. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.
24. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
