Charts for behavior with clip art using smiles frowns, or colors may have a detrimental effect on certain children. Children who do not succeed with behavior charts are at risk of developing anxiety disorders.
Elementary students, although capable of reasoning and understanding complex thoughts and consequences, may struggle to control their emotions and behavior due to external factors impacting their ability to follow classroom rules.
Behavior modification techniques on animals should not be applied to children. A student’s behavior is a private matter that should be addressed between the student, the teacher, and the parent. Publicly addressing a student’s behavior can be humiliating and may lead the student to feel inadequate. It can also cause anxiety not only for the student being corrected, but also for other students who witness it. This can result in teasing and bullying. Teachers have empathy. Otherwise, they would not become teachers. The charts take the empathy out of the teacher and create a judgmental person. In addition to becoming judgmental, the charts encourage extrinsic motivation. Therefore, it hinders a student’s self-esteem.
Behavior Chart Takedown
Behavior charts are a method of public shaming. Also, research proves charts do not teach self-regulation. Simply, they cause harm. Unfortunately, they are very common in schools.
Behavior charts do have a purpose. They teach students that punishment happens if they don’t follow directions or classroom rules. However, following rules is not the goal of the classroom. Learning and engagement is the appropriate goal of classrooms. Teachers want students to appropriately interact so they create a positive climate of socialization.
Alternative Methods
Instead of creating behavior charts or putting up store-bought charts, spend time getting to know students. Build a strong and caring relationship with them. A student’s learning is driven by a caring relationship, not through fear.
Listen to what a student has to say. At times, there is an underlying reason for an outburst or unwanted behavior.
Forget about using behavior charts. There are more effective ways to manage a classroom. Students shouldn’t be publicly shamed; they need to trust their teachers. Building trust through private conversations is crucial. Instead of using charts, focusing on the reasons behind a student’s misbehavior is more effective. Therefore, it’s better to get rid of behavior charts and find alternative methods to help students improve their behavior.
