Academic and Behavioral Interventions

Are you looking for ways to support students who are chronically unhappy? If so, keep reading.

1. Provide consistent interactions (e.g., do not give extra attention when the student is demonstrating facial expressions of displeasure).

2. Make sure that reinforcement is not provided when the student does not smile, laugh, or demonstrate happiness (e.g., paying attention to the student only when they show unhappiness).

3. Connect with parents, agencies, or appropriate parties to tell them about the problem, identify the cause of the problem, and discuss potential solutions to the problem.

4. Converse with the student to explain (a) that you recognize they are unhappy and (b) appropriate ways to deal with unhappiness.

5. Show the student that feelings of unhappiness are natural, but there is an appropriate duration of time for public display of that emotion.

6. Teach the student alternative ways to express unhappiness (e.g., in writing, by talking, etc.).

7. Take the student away from the learning experience until they can be more positive.

8. Ask the student why they frown, scowl, or look unhappy during typical classroom situations. The student may have the most accurate perception.

9. Do not punish the student for not participating in classroom learning activities.

10. Do not force the student to interact with individuals with whom they are not entirely comfortable.

11. Always treat the student with the utmost respect. Talk objectively at all times.

12. Do not embarrass the student by giving them orders, requirements, etc., in front of others.

13. Make positive remarks about participating in school and special learning activities.

14. Get a peer (e.g., a close friend) to escort the student to those learning activities in which they do not want to participate. As the student shows success, slowly decrease the duration of time the peer stays with the student.

15. Take into account those learning activities in which the student does not want to participate. If something unpleasant is causing the student to not participate, do all you can to eliminate or lessen the cause.

16. Do not force the student to interact with others.

17. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

18. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

19. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

20. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

21. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

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.

Are you looking for ways to help students who care too much about what others think? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the student to regularly record their own progress to have concrete evidence of success.

2. Provide praise and constructive criticism continuously to all students.

3. Make cleaning up accidents a group responsibility to express the idea that we all make mistakes and accidents are common to all of us.

4. Ask the student a question when they will most likely be able to answer correctly.

5. Urge the student to be a peer tutor to recognize their own strengths and abilities.

6. Minimize learning activities that might threaten the student (e.g., announcing test score ranges or test scores aloud, making students read aloud in class, emphasizing the success of a particular student or other students, etc.).

7. Assist the student in learning those skills appropriate to improve their personal appearance and hygiene.

8. Make sure that your remarks are in the form of constructive criticism rather than criticism that can be perceived as personal, menacing, etc., (e.g., instead of saying, “You always make that same mistake.” say, “A better way to do that might be … “).

9. Provide a predetermined signal when the student begins to be overly critical of himself/herself.

10. Assess the appropriateness of the social situation and place the student in the group in which they will be most successful.

11. Pair the student with a younger or less capable peer to enable their feelings of success or accomplishment.

12. Provide praise and recognition privately so that the student is not aware of the performance of others.

13. Urge all students to be complimentary of each other’s performance.

14. Do not criticize when correcting the student; be honest yet compassionate. Never cause the student to feel bad about themselves.

15. Talk with the student about individual differences and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of individuals the student knows. Convey that the student does not have to do the same things everyone else does.

16. Urge the student to refrain from comparing themselves to others.

17. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

18. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

19. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

20. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

21. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

Are you looking for strategies to help students who care too much about what others think? If so, keep reading.

1. Show the student that they should be happy with personal best effort rather than expecting perfection.

2. Praise the student for accepting errors that they make.

3. Talk with the student to explain(a) what the student is doing wrong (i.e., being overly critical of themselves) and (b) what the student should be doing (i.e., being more constructive in self-criticism when evaluating themselves).

4. Reward others for accepting the errors they make.

5. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., accepting personal best effort) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

6. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

7. Praise the student for improvement rather than expecting excellence.

8. Recognize the student often and in several settings (e.g., hallways, cafeteria, etc.).

9. Give the student positive feedback that indicates they are successful, competent, essential, valuable, etc.

10. Give the student success-oriented tasks. The expectation is that success will result in more positive attitudes and perceptions toward self and the environment.

11. Give the student many chances for social and academic success.

12. Make the appropriate adjustments in their surroundings to prevent the student from experiencing stress, frustration, etc.

13. Select a peer to help the student with class tasks, homework, etc.

14. Place emphasis on individual differences and that everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

15. Minimize emphasis on competition and perfection. Repeated failure may result in unwarranted self-blame or self-criticism.

16. Urge the student to refrain from comparing personal performance to other students’ performance, and emphasize attention to personal improvement (e.g., keep records of own progress rather than comparing work to others).

17. Give the student evidence of their capacity and ability so that they might better understand that self-blame/criticism is unwarranted.

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.

Are you looking for strategies to help students who don’t care about anything? If so, keep reading.

1. Connect with parents, agencies, or appropriate parties to tell them about the problem, identify the cause of the problem, and discuss potential solutions to the problem.

2. Refrain from competition. Failure may cause the student to lose interest or not take part in school learning activities.

3. Ask the student a question when they can answer successfully.

4. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for showing an interest and participating in school learning activities.

5. Give the student more decision-making chances relative to class learning activities and tasks.

6. Ascertain the student’s preferred learning activities, interests, etc., and incorporate them into their daily schedule, program, etc., at several points throughout the day.

7. 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.

8. Assess the appropriateness of the task concerning the student’s capacity and ability to perform the task successfully.

9. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

10. Provide the student with duties in the classroom (e.g., teacher assistant, peer tutor, group leader, etc.).

11. Assist the student in developing self-confidence and satisfaction in personal self-worth and successes by pointing out strengths, emphasizing positive aspects, etc.

12. Notify others who will be working with the student (e.g., teachers, principals, clerks, etc.) about the student’s tendency to ignore the consequences of their behavior.

13. Intervene early and often when there is a problem to prevent more severe problems from happening.

14. Make sure the student does not become involved in overstimulating learning activities.

15. Show tasks in the most attractive and exciting manner possible.

16. Give a full schedule of daily activities to keep the student actively involved.

17. Praise those students in the classroom who show an interest and take part in school learning activities.

18. Give the student as many chances for academic and social success as possible.

19. Praise the student for showing an interest and participating in school learning activities based on the duration of time they can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

20. Praise the student for showing an interest and participating in school learning activities : (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.).

21. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., showing an interest and participating in school learning activities ) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

22. Show an interest in the student (e.g., acknowledge the student, ask the student’s opinion, spend time working one-on-one with the student, etc.).

23. Talk with the student to explain(a) what they are doing wrong (e.g., failing to show an interest and take part in school learning activities ) and (b) what they must be doing (e.g., showing an interest and participating in school learning activities ).

24. Teach the student to think before acting (e.g., they should ask themselves, “What is happening?” “What am I doing?” “What should I do?” “What will be best for me?”).

25. Give the student real-life experiences from their surroundings. Get individuals from the workforce (e.g., mechanic, draftsman, secretary, etc.) to visit the classroom to relay the importance of education to work experiences that include writing, reading, math, etc.

26. Use VR to help the student discover career interests. The hope is that they will take school seriously if it leads to their dream career.

Are you looking for ways to encourage students to focus academically? If so, keep reading.

1. Always treat the student with the utmost respect. Talk objectively at all times.

2. Make positive remarks about school and the importance of school.

3. Let the student attempt something new in private before doing it in front of others.

4. Give the student frequent chances to meet new people.

5. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled for the task is sufficient.

6. Connect with parents, agencies, or appropriate parties to tell them about the problem, identify the cause of the problem, and discuss potential solutions to the problem.

7. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for showing an interest in participating in school learning activities.

8. Show an interest in the student (e.g., acknowledge the student, ask the student’s opinion, spend time working one-on-one with the student, etc.).

9. Praise the student for showing an interest and participating in school learning activities based on the duration of time they can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

10. 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.

11. Investigate the student’s eating habits and the amount of rest they are getting outside school.

12. Praise those students in the classroom who show an interest and take part in school learning activities.

13. Praise the student for showing an interest in and participating in school learning activities : (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.)

14. Talk with the student to explain(a) what the student is doing wrong (e.g., failing to show an interest and participating in school learning activities ) and (b) what the student should be doing (e.g., showing an interest and participating in school learning activities ).

15. Use VR to help the student discover career interests. The hope is that they will take school seriously if it leads to their dream career.

Are you looking for strategies to help students who are not interested in school? If so, keep reading.

1. Ask the student a question when they can answer successfully.

2. Give a full schedule of daily activities to keep the student actively involved.

3. Give the student more decision-making chances relative to class learning activities and tasks.

4. Show tasks in the most attractive and exciting manner possible.

5. Provide the student with duties in the classroom (e.g., teacher assistant, peer tutor, group leader, etc.).

6. Refrain from competition. Failure may cause the student to lose interest or not take part in school learning activities.

7. Give the student many chances for academic and social success.

8. Assess the appropriateness of the task concerning the student’s capacity and ability to perform the task successfully.

9. Ascertain the student’s preferred learning activities, interests, etc., and incorporate them into the daily schedule, program, etc., at several points throughout the day.

10. Give the student real-life experiences from their surroundings. Get individuals from the workforce (e.g., mechanic, draftsman, secretary, etc.) to visit the class to relate the importance of school to work experiences that involve math, reading, writing, etc.

11. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., showing an interest and participating in school learning activities ) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

12. Examine the possibility of the student being involved in the use of drugs or alcohol.

13. Do not criticize when correcting the student; be honest yet compassionate. Never cause the student to feel bad about themselves.

14. Do not embarrass the student by giving the student orders requirements, etc., in front of others.

15. Use VR to help the student discover career interests. The hope is that they will take school seriously if it leads to their dream career.

Are you looking for ways to respond to students who throw temper tantrums? If so, keep reading.

1. Ignore the student’s temper tantrums. Do not let the student have their way when crying.

2. Show the student how to control angry feelings when things do not go their way (e.g., count to 10, say the alphabet, etc.).

3. Make sure you do not give into the student’s temper tantrums because others are present. Provide consistency at all times.

4. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., dealing with unhappiness appropriately) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

5. Give the student alternative learning activities, games, etc., in case learning activities prove upsetting.

6. Connect with parents, agencies, or appropriate parties to tell them about the problem, identify the cause of the problem, and discuss potential solutions to the problem.

7. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

8. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for dealing with unhappiness appropriately at school.

9. After telling the student that they cannot do or have something, explain the reason.

10. Give the student alternative learning activities to perform in case some learning activities prove upsetting.

11. Praise the student for dealing with unhappiness appropriately based on the number of times they can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the amount of time required for reinforcement.

12. Praise those students in the classroom who deal with unhappiness appropriately.

13. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. • Raise your hand. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

14. Talk with the student to explain(a) that you recognize that they are unhappy and (b) appropriate ways to deal with unhappiness.

15. Praise the student for dealing with unhappiness appropriately (e.g., orally stating their unhappiness, problem-solving, etc.): (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.).

16. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

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.

Are you looking for ways to support students who throw temper tantrums? If so, keep reading.

1. Dissuade the student from engaging in those learning activities that cause them unhappiness.

2. Give the student positive feedback that indicates they are successful, competent, essential, respected, etc.

3. Find individuals with whom the student may communicate about their unhappiness (e.g., guidance counselor, school nurse, social worker, school psychologist, etc.).

4. Provide the student additional duties (e.g., chores, errands, etc.) to give them a feeling of success or accomplishment.

5. Organize their surroundings so the student does not have time to dwell on real or imagined problems.

6. Help the student identify how they wish things were in their surroundings and work with the student toward those goals.

7. Teach the student alternative ways to deal with requirements, challenges, and pressures of the school-age experience (e.g., deal with problems when they arise, practice self-control at all times, share problems or concerns with others, etc.).

8. Help the student identify when they are getting upset so something can be done to help them calm down (e.g., walk away, talk about feelings in a socially acceptable way, seek help from an adult, etc.).

9. Teach the student alternative ways to express unhappiness (e.g., express in writing, orally, etc.).

10. Refrain from topics, situations, etc., that remind the student of unpleasant experiences or problems (e.g., divorce, death, unemployment, alcoholism, etc.).

11. Follow up less desirable learning activities with more desirable learning activities.

12. Take the student away from the learning experience until they can demonstrate appropriate behavior and self-control.

13. Provide the student some decision-making power (e.g., seating task, the order of tasks, daily schedule, etc.).

14. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Repeated failure may cause the student to throw a temper tantrum.

15. Assist the student in selecting learning activities that do not cause anger, frustration, anxiety, etc.

16. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

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.

Are you looking for strategies to help students who throw temper tantrums? If so, keep reading.

1. Assess the situations in which the student throws temper tantrums. Based on these observations, determine ways to prevent situations from stimulating the student to throw temper tantrums.

2. Attempt several groupings to ascertain the situation in which the student is most comfortable.

3. Give the student many chances for social and academic success.

4. Take the time to talk with the student, so the student realizes that your interest in them is genuine.

5. Teach/demonstrate methods for dealing with problems early to prevent problems from becoming overwhelming.

6. Urge and help the student to make friends (e.g., pair the student with a peer and when that relationship is successful, introduce them to other peers).

7. Show the student that feelings of unhappiness are natural, but there is an appropriate duration of time for public display of that emotion.

8. On occasions where logical consequences occur as a result of the student’s throwing temper tantrums, point them out to the student (e.g., peers prefer not to interact with him/her; property is damaged or destroyed, resulting in loss of use or costly replacement; etc.).

9. Give the student as many positive interactions as possible (e.g., recognize the student, greet the student, compliment their attire, etc.).

10. Give the student preferred duties throughout the school environment.

11. Teach and urge the student to use problem-solving skills: (a) find the problem, (b) find goals and objectives, (c) create strategies, (d) create a plan for action, and (e) carry out the plan.

12. Make sure that reinforcement is not provided for unacceptable behavior(i.e., paying attention to the student only when they throw a temper tantrum).

13. Make sure that the consequences for both appropriate and unacceptable behavior are consistent.

14. Urge and assist the student in joining extracurricular learning activities, clubs, etc.

15. Move the student away from the peer(s) who may be causing their unhappiness.

16. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

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.