Encourage Positive Behaviours

Positive behaviour can be learnt. A safe and caring environment that supports positive learning behaviour needs to be created.

Tips for success:

• You can’t do it alone – kia mahi tahi, work (and learn) as a team.
• Show children and young people you care, show that you believe in them, show that you trust them and play with them often.
• Have high (and realistic) expectations for children and young people. They will rise to these.
• Family and whānau usually know their children or young people best – involve them and you increase your chances of connecting with a child or young person.
• Children and young people don’t always know how to behave – you need to teach, regularly practice and positively reinforce the behaviour you want to see.
• Provide the foundations for all children and young people to learn and succeed – make sure all of your school or systems support positive behaviour.
• Remember the quiet ones – those who internalise their behaviour (e.g. withdraw or sulk) need the same positive attentions as those who externalise behaviour.