Are you looking for ways to support students who become overexcited? If so, keep reading.
1. Give the student an easily grasped list of consequences for unacceptable behavior.
2. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the student to become overexcited.
3. Allow flexibility in meeting academic requirements when the student becomes overexcited (e.g., allow more time, modify tasks, give help with tasks, etc.).
4. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Complete assignments quietly. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.
5. Assess the degree of task difficulty to ascertain whether the student will require additional information, time, assistance, etc., to avoid becoming overexcited.
6. Show the student when they cannot calm down what they are doing wrong, what they are supposed to be doing, and why.
7. Do not let the student participate in exciting learning activities for long periods.
8. Converse with the student to explain (a) what he/she is doing wrong (e.g., becoming overexcited or upset) and (b) what they must be doing (e.g., following the rules, considering others, controlling impulsive behavior, etc.).
9. Give the student a carrel or divider at their desk to lessen visual and auditory stimuli.
10. Refrain from discussion or prevent stimuli in their surroundings that remind the student of unpleasant experiences/sensitive topics (e.g., divorce, death, unemployment, alcoholism, etc.) that might cause the student to become overexcited.
11. Urge the student to take part in quiet, calming learning activities (e.g., listen to music, read, etc.) when feeling overexcited.
12. Urge the student to avoid ingesting any substance (e.g., drugs, alcohol, cold remedies, etc.) that might further alter their capacity and ability to keep self-control.
13. Get the student to make a list of consequences associated with overexcitement (e.g., break something, hurt someone, embarrass self or others, etc.).
14. Make sure the student does not become involved in overstimulating learning activities.
15. Give the student the chance to move to a quiet space in the classroom whenever visual and auditory stimuli interfere with their capacity and ability to function successfully.
16. Boost supervision (e.g., by teacher, peer, paraprofessional, etc.) of the student when they are involved in learning activities that tend to overexcite him/her.
17. Separate the student from the peer who stimulates their unacceptable behavior.
18. Give the student a predetermined signal when they begin to display unacceptable behavior.
19. Give the student a quiet space in which to work where visual and auditory stimuli are reduced. This is used to lessen distracting stimuli, not as a form of punishment.
20. Praise the student for demonstrating self-control: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., classroom privileges, passing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
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.
25. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
26. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
27. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
