Dealing with a students who bother their classmates

Students "bother" their classmates in various ways. They poke them, pull their hair, grab something from them, trip them, push them, interrupt them, call them names, spread rumours about them, and ridicule them. These incidents often come to your attention regardless of the form the bothering takes.

The most efficient way of dealing with the problem is to encourage the complaining student to stand up for himself and tell his classmate to stop the bothering behaviour. If that doesn't work, however, you might need to become involved -- before a small problem turns into a significant problem.

Please be cautious. Do not immediately assume that the student being complained about is at fault. The complaining student may exaggerate the issue or be motivated to get another student in trouble. The complaint could stem from a conflict between two students, neither of whom is blameless. Also, be cautious about disciplining a student if you have not witnessed the misbehavior..

Screen a student's concern before dismissing it. Be especially vigilant for signs of bullying among students, particularly if similar complaints are made by multiple students. If you are uncertain about getting involved, inform the student that you will follow up and then monitor the students closely to observe their interactions.

Promote the complaining student to assert himself. One of the best tools if a student says to you that another student is annoying him, encourage him to tell the classmate to stop. Suggest what he might say ("You're really bothering me and I'd like you to stop," for example), and role-play with him, if necessary. Say to him to see you again if the schoolfellow continues to bother him after being asked to stop. If he tells you that he asked the classmate to stop but the behavior continued, give the offending student a consequence if you have witnessed him bothering the complaining student.

Give student a consequence. If you have discovered a student troubling a classmate without apparent provocation, and if the student continues the behaviour despite your request to stop, give that student a consequence. The consequence might be loss of part or all of recess, an after-school detention, or loss of a privilege. Or you could have the student call his parents in your presence and communicate with them about his behavior. Let the student know in advance that you will assign a consequence and tell him the consequence. Be matter-of-fact and to the point.

Talk one-on-one with the student. If you find a student annoying a classmate, take that student on one side and ask him in a unagitated, emotionally neutral manner to justify his behavior. Let his comments guide your response; that response which be a simple appeal for cooperation or a conflict-resolution meeting with you and the two students. Whatsoever the student's reply to your question is, help him realize that his behavior might interfere with your instruction and cause other children to avoid him.

Find out what is motivating the student. When trying to answer that question, take time to closely observe the student's behavior. Note the circumstances surrounding the behavior, including: what happened right before and after each incident, when the incidents most commonly occurred, where the student was when he engaged in the behavior, and whether or not he targets a particular student. The student causing the issue may seek attention, distract from academic problems, or retaliate against another student.. If you can identify the underlying cause of his behavior, you've got a better chance of eliminating it.

Think about moving the student's desk. If the student goes on to bothering his neighbors despite your requests to end it, think about moving his desk away from other students' desks. You might even move him to a study carrel placed at the side of the classroom. State that he can return to his regular seat if he is cooperative in the new location for a selected period of time.

Restrict the student's physical interaction . Limit the movements of a student who is bothering others by directing them to stay within a designated work area without permission. Place a square or rectangle of masking tape about a foot or so beyond his desk on all four sides. Tell him that the marked tape indicates his "office," and he must stay within those boundaries. Make sure the student cannot make bodily contact with other students from his work area.

Find possible ways to give the student positive attention. If you think that a student is bothering other students to get your attention, you should be looking for opportunities to pay attention to him when he is displaying positive behavior. Specifically praise him when you witness that he is treating his classmates in a kind, respectful, or helpful manner, even if it's only a small gesture. If you are successful in doing that, he might feel little compelled to look for attention in improper ways.