Positive Behaviour for Learning

 

 

Every school needs a consistent, positive approach to addressing behaviour.  The PB4L - SW approach is based on the results of research into the conditions necessary for learning (see, for example, Alberto & Troutman 2012).  

 

This research tells us that:

• All social behaviour, both appropriate and inappropriate, is learned
• Students do not learn better ways of behaving when given aversive consequences
• To learn better ways of behaving, students must be directly taught replacement behaviours.
• To retain new behaviours, students must be given specific, positive feedback and opportunities to practise in a variety of school settings.

 

Before staff can teach replacement behaviours - what they want students to do instead of misbehaviour - the school community (staff, students and whānau) must agree on three to five broad school-wide common expectations.  From these, the school develops its school-wide expectation matrix - a comprehensive table of agreed, expected behaviours for each school setting (e.g. classroom, playground, hall).  When expected behaviours are clearly identified, everyone can be consistent in the behaviours that are taught, recognised and corrected when necessary.

At Manaia School we focus on our overarching value of RESPECT.  This includes respect for ourselves, others and our Environment.  We know we are successful when we can follow our three expectations in all spaces:

 

Whakarongo - Listening,
Kupu Pai - Kind Words
Hohenga pai - Kind actions.