Behavior management theorists
Haim Ginott
Haim
Ginott put an emphasis on congruent communication.
He described congruent communication, "to mean communication that is
harmonious with students' feelings about situations and themselves"
(Charles, 2011, pg. 35). Ginott also encouraged teachers to use sane messages.
These messages were beneficial because they focused on the current situation
and did not bring up any past incidents. In addition, he urged teachers to use
laconic language. Laconic language is defined as, "short and to the point-when responding to or redirecting
student misbehavior" (Charles, 2011, pg.35). Ginott also wanted teachers
to use I-messages instead of you-messages. This means that the teacher would
say to the class, "I am upset about the constant distractions",
instead of saying, "Kevin, you are being a distraction". Lastly, he
wanted teachers to not ask questions when discussing behavior issues. Ginott
believed that by asking a student why they did something, teachers made their
students feel guilty and defensive. To avoid these problems teachers should just
explain or demonstrate the appropriate behavior (Charles, 2011, pg.35).
Rudolf dreikurs
Rudolf Dreikurs emphasis on
classroom management was, "that students-indeed all humans-have a powerful
inborn need for belonging. He believed that when students in school are unable
to satisfy this prime need (the genuine goal of their behavior) they turn by
default to certain mistaken goals such as attention-seeking, power-seeking,
revenge-seeking, and withdrawal" (Charles, 2011, pg. 59). Dreikurs also believed that learning occurred
best in a democratic classroom. He urged teachers to speak positively, be encouraging, focus on strengths, and to provide students with the skills they need to be independent and responsible. Dreikurs though that encouragement was more effective
than praise in the long run. Lastly, he
believed that community in the classroom was vital. All students should feel
safe and valued. He urged teachers to discuss the behavior problem with the
student and to have the student create goals to improve their behavior. Lastly,
Dreikurs thought a student needed to show responsibility for him/her, but also
for a group of people. As students learned
to make responsible decisions he believed that the student gained self-discipline
(Charles, 2011, pg. 59).
What do these theories mean to educators?
Both Ginott and Dreikurs believed
that behavior is a form of communication. They urged teachers to focus less on punishment and focus more on teaching the appropriate behavior. They also both believed that our
consequences do affect our students’ self-esteem. This is why Dreikurs believed
that encouragement was so powerful. Teachers need to
explain and demonstrate how students should appropriately act at school. In addition, teachers need to make sure that their classroom is a safe place where
all students feel like they belong. Though these theories were created a while
ago they are still applicable in today’s classrooms (Charles, 2011 pg. 35 and
59).
Links
references
Information from:
Charles, C. M. (2011). Building Classroom Discipline (Eleventh ed., pp. 35-59). N.p.: Pearson.
Pictures from:
Does anyone remember Dr. Haim Ginott?. (n.d.). In The Kids' Karate Workbook. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from
http://kidskaratebook.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/does-anyone-remember-dr-haim-ginott/
Klett-Cotta, . (n.d.). Reality Therapy. In Models of discipline. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from http://olameegdcequared.blogspot.com/
Video from:
Rosebrough, M. (2012, April 12). Haim Ginott Quote. In YouTube. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=14T6SwIxOok
Rudolf Dreikurs Democratic Teaching Model. (2010, October 11). In YouTube. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-6WLvNWnt3I#!
Charles, C. M. (2011). Building Classroom Discipline (Eleventh ed., pp. 35-59). N.p.: Pearson.
Pictures from:
Does anyone remember Dr. Haim Ginott?. (n.d.). In The Kids' Karate Workbook. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from
http://kidskaratebook.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/does-anyone-remember-dr-haim-ginott/
Klett-Cotta, . (n.d.). Reality Therapy. In Models of discipline. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from http://olameegdcequared.blogspot.com/
Video from:
Rosebrough, M. (2012, April 12). Haim Ginott Quote. In YouTube. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=14T6SwIxOok
Rudolf Dreikurs Democratic Teaching Model. (2010, October 11). In YouTube. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-6WLvNWnt3I#!