Understanding why students act out is crucial to stopping it, said DeSantis. Observe the student carefully to try to figure out the root cause of their misbehavior. Are they disengaged? Are they avoiding work? Are they trying to gain attention? Once you understand the motivation behind this behavior, you can pinpoint a solution that’s really going to make a difference.

Once you’ve isolated the issues at play for the student, you can create an action plan for how to deal with them. Your action plan should include replacement behaviors - that is, different, less disruptive ways for the student to get their needs met. For instance, if a student frequently talks out of turn, help them learn to start raising their hand. If they are prone to aggressive behavior, teach them to use calming behaviors or help them locate a safe place to go to calm down.

Encourage replacement behavior by providing clear instructions, modeling it for students, and praising them when they do it correctly. Remember, this is a new skill just like any other and requires lots of practice to master.

Avert bad behavior before it starts by setting clear expectations and creating an environment that supports those expectations. Treat students fairly and consistently. Arrange your classroom in a way that facilitates the behavior you want from students; keep the room orderly and make sure that there are clear processes outlined for daily tasks.