Behaviour management strategies are structured techniques and approaches used by educators to encourage fantastic behaviour and reduce disruptive actions within the learning environment.

These strategies are especially important in primary schools, where students are still developing social, emotional and self-regulation skills.

By implementing the right behaviour strategies in schools, you can create a classroom atmosphere that promotes learning, respect and cooperation. Sounds good? Let’s take a look…..

Every teacher knows that it’s not always easy to manage children’s behaviour, but effective behaviour management in primary schools is crucial to create a positive and harmonious learning environment. 

So, what is your approach to behaviour management and are you ready to learn even more effective behaviour management strategies to ensure your students stay on task?

Let’s dive into this blog all about behaviour management in primary schools and hopefully you’ll find some helpful strategies you can start to implement today!

Here at Elevate Supply, we are passionate about providing our users with loads of important information to consider when it comes to navigating the learning environment. It can be a daunting experience, so we believe it’s essential for educators to have loads of help and support. That’s where we come in! 

Whether we’re providing you with advice on how to get the most out of your union or helping you perfect your approach to behaviour management, you can feel safe in the knowledge that we’re here to help you, in every way! 

Without further ado, let’s start exploring our list of 15 effective behaviour management strategies for primary schools:

1. Set clear and realistic expectations

One of the most fundamental behaviour management strategies in primary schools is to set clear expectations for student behaviour. This involves:

• Collaboratively creating classroom rules with students

• Discussing the consequences of breaking rules

• Voting on the most important rules

• Selecting class monitors to help enforce the rules

• Regularly reviewing and reinforcing expectations

By involving children in this process, they develop a sense of ownership and are, therefore, more likely to adhere to the established guidelines. Clear expectations provide a framework for pupils to understand what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour in the classroom.

2. Create a structured environment with routines

A structured environment with consistent routines provides children with a sense of security, leading to increased confidence and improved behaviour. To implement this behaviour management strategy in primary schools, you can:

• Develop and maintain daily schedules

• Use visual schedules to help students understand what comes next

• Create routines for transitions between activities

• Reinforce routines daily to build habits

• Gradually introduce flexibility as students become more comfortable with routines

Structured environments often reduce anxiety and minimise opportunities for disruptive behaviour. You can experiment with these different ideas to see what works well for you and your pupils.

3. Use positive reinforcement and scaffolding to encourage children to feel confident in their behaviour

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool to shape student behaviour. One of the most enjoyable behaviour management strategies in primary schools, rewarding positive behaviour helps to motivate and inspire your pupils. This approach involves:

• Providing specific praise for good behaviour

• Offering rewards or privileges for meeting or exceeding behavioural expectations

• Using a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative feedback

• Focusing on positive attributes of typically problematic students

• Implementing a point system for good behaviour

By consistently acknowledging and rewarding positive behaviour, you can encourage children to repeat those actions. This behaviour management strategy helps to create a positive classroom atmosphere and incentivises pupils to make good choices.

4. Set up a check-in/check-out system

The check-in/check-out strategy is an evidence-based method that helps children improve their behaviour through regular communication with a mentor or teacher. To try out this behaviour management strategy for primary schools, you can use the following tools and techniques:

• Setting daily goals and tracking progress over time

• Doing daily morning check-ins to discuss behavioural expectations

• Scheduling end-of-day check-outs to review performance

• Using a reward chart at the start and end of each day to record behaviour for that day

• By regularly reflecting on their behaviour, children will build self-awareness of their actions and the consequences. This helps them to develop skills for managing their behaviour and making responsible decisions.

5. Encourage self-regulation within the learning space 

Inappropriate behaviour can be tackled at the source by helping students develop their own self-regulation skills. The following techniques can help children develop self-discipline and control their responses to challenging situations:

• Deep breathing exercises

• Mindfulness activities

• Guided meditations

• Self-reflection journaling

Each of these behaviour management strategies for primary schools will not only contribute to creating a calmer classroom environment, but also benefit your students’ overall wellbeing and mental health.

6. Trial the CASPER approach

If you prefer a structured behaviour strategy for schools, we recommend the CASPER approach (Calm, Assertive, Status preservation, Empathy and Respect). This strategy involves:

• Maintaining a calm demeanour when addressing behavioural issues

• Being assertive in enforcing classroom rules and expectations

• Preserving the status of students by reprimanding them privately, rather than embarrassing them in front of their peers

• Showing empathy towards your students’ feelings and perspectives

• Treating all students with respect, even when correcting behaviour

• Using ‘I’ statements to express concerns and expectations

By following this approach, you can maintain authority while fostering a respectful and understanding classroom environment. The CASPER approach helps de-escalate conflicts and promotes positive teacher-student relationships.

7. Take advantage of non-verbal cues and signals

Non-verbal cues and signals can be powerful tools for managing behaviour without disrupting the flow of the lesson. Some effective techniques include:

• Implementing a countdown system using your hands for transitions

• Employing proximity control by standing near off-task students

• Making eye contact to redirect attention

• Using facial expressions to convey approval or disapproval

• Implementing a silent attention signal (e.g., a raised hand)

These subtle cues help to maintain order without drawing unnecessary attention to misbehaviour, allowing you to address issues discreetly and effectively.

8. Provide engaging and varied activities

Keeping pupils engaged in their learning by doing diverse and interesting activities is a proactive approach to behaviour management in primary schools. To implement this strategy, you can:

• Offer a range of activities that cater to different learning styles

• Incorporate students’ interests into lesson plans

• Vary the types of tasks, including creative and memory-based exercises

• Include culturally relevant content to increase student engagement

• Use technology and multimedia resources to enhance lessons

• Implement cooperative learning strategies to promote positive peer interactions

By maintaining children’s interest, you can reduce the likelihood of disruptive behaviour stemming from boredom or disengagement. Also, you’ll be helping children to develop a positive attitude towards learning – it’s a win-win!

9. Practise fair and consistent discipline

When addressing inappropriate behaviour, consistency is key. Consequences should be fair, appropriate and immediate so that children understand the direct impact their actions have.

For example, when a child is behaving inappropriately, a first warning could be given to remind the child of the rule they are breaking. If a second warning is required, you can give a more direct warning with an explanation. Then, if the inappropriate behaviour is repeated a third time, consequences such as timeouts, notes to parents or loss of privileges can be implemented.

This behaviour management strategy for primary schools includes:

• Clearly communicating consequences for both positive and negative behaviours

• Applying consequences fairly and consistently across all students

• Following through on stated consequences

• Aligning disciplinary actions with the school's behaviour policy

• Using logical consequences that relate to the misbehaviour

• Focusing on teaching appropriate behaviour rather than punitive measures

When students understand and trust the disciplinary process, they're more likely to adhere to classroom rules and expectations. Implementing discipline fairly and consistently helps to create a sense of security and predictability in the classroom.

Did you know, with Elevate Supply, you can get access to a FREE Twinkl Ultimate Membership when you work with us? 

This means you’ll get access to top-quality resources to make life in the classroom easier. Take a look at this Twinkl resource that includes loads of posters all about the topic of discipline, and how important it is for students. Your young learners will massively benefit from the visual cues included in this pack, as they will serve as a reminder for students to always stay focused and self aware!

10. Understand each child’s needs

Not all children will respond well to the same behaviour management strategies, as each child has their own individual needs, preferences and character. Understanding how each child learns and functions best will allow you to mitigate some instances of poor behaviour before they happen. By spending some individual time with each student, you can gain valuable insights into their needs, which will help you to tailor your behaviour management strategies. This approach involves:

• Scheduling one-on-one or small group check-ins

• Interviewing students about their learning preferences and challenges

• Discussing individual concerns and providing feedback

• Using gathered information to adjust teaching and management strategies

• Implementing student self-assessment and goal-setting activities

• Creating opportunities for students to voice their opinions and concerns

By understanding each child’s unique needs and perspectives, you’ll be able to create a more supportive and effective learning environment. This strategy also helps build strong teacher-student relationships.

11. Establish a positive and welcoming classroom culture

Creating a positive classroom culture is essential for effective behaviour management in primary schools. This behaviour management strategy involves:

• Fostering a sense of community and belonging

• Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusivity

• Encouraging peer support and collaboration

• Implementing class meetings to discuss issues and celebrate successes

• Creating classroom traditions and rituals

A positive classroom culture helps children develop a sense of belonging, which promotes mutual respect, empathy and cooperation. This naturally leads to better behaviour and a more productive learning environment.

12. Build strong relationships with your students

Developing positive relationships with your students is fundamental to effective behaviour management in the classroom. You can do this by:

• Taking time to get to know each student individually

• Showing genuine interest in students’ lives and experiences

• Being approachable and available for students to share concerns

• Demonstrating empathy and understanding

• Maintaining a balance between warmth and authority

• Consistently treating all students with respect and fairness

Strong teacher-student relationships create a foundation of trust and understanding, which can significantly reduce behavioural issues and also increase your students’ motivation.

13. Implement preventive strategies

Proactive and preventive measures are often some of the more effective behaviour management strategies in primary schools. As well as using the reactive disciplinary methods we’ve described whenever they may be needed, you might like to implement some of the following behaviour management preventive strategies:

• Anticipate potential triggers for misbehaviour and plan accordingly

• Teach and practice social skills and conflict resolution techniques

• Use seating arrangements strategically to minimise distractions

• Provide clear instructions and check for understanding before activities

• Offer choices to give students a sense of control and autonomy

By addressing potential issues before they arise, you can create a more harmonious classroom environment and reduce the need for disciplinary actions, too.

14. Use data-driven decision-making

Incorporating data into your behaviour management strategies can lead to more effective interventions. This approach includes:

• Keeping detailed records of behavioural incidents

• Analysing patterns in behaviour to identify triggers or underlying issues

• Using behaviour tracking tools or apps to collect and analyse data

• Adjusting strategies based on data-driven insights

• Sharing data with students to help them understand their progress

• Collaborating with colleagues to identify school-wide trends and effective interventions

Data-driven decision-making allows for more targeted and effective behaviour management strategies, leading to better outcomes for both you and your pupils.

15. Continuously adapt and improve

Effective behaviour management strategies in primary schools require ongoing reflection and adaptation. To implement this strategy, we recommend that you:

• Regularly assess the effectiveness of current strategies

• Communicate with and seek feedback from students, parents and colleagues

• Stay informed about new research and best practices in behaviour management

• Attend professional development workshops and training sessions

• Be willing to try new approaches and adjust strategies as needed

• Reflect on personal biases and how they might impact behaviour management

By continuously adapting and improving your behaviour management techniques, you can ensure that you’re using the most effective strategies for your specific students.

We can offer ongoing support, including access to a dedicated team for any questions or concerns you may have. 

Fancy a chat about any of the topics discussed above? 

Simply contact us contact@elevatesupply.co.uk or call us on 0114 700 8490 and one of our account managers will be able to support you. 

Effective behaviour management in primary schools requires a comprehensive, proactive approach that combines multiple strategies. By implementing these top 15 strategies, you can create a positive and supportive learning environment that promotes good behaviour, academic success and social-emotional development for all students. Good luck!