You’ve probably heard the phrase, "Behaviours are students meeting a need." In this episode, I’m diving into what that actually really means for your classroom and how understanding the needs behind student behaviour can transform your management approach.

Listen in as I discuss:

• Glasser’s 5 basic needs and how they drive behaviour (survival, love/belonging, fun, power/mastery, and freedom)
• How unmet needs can lead to challenging behaviours in the classroom
• Core principles of Choice Theory
• The importance of embedding strategies into your practice that meet students' needs
• How empowering students with an understanding of their own behaviours changes classroom dynamics

When students understand the needs driving their behaviour, it shifts everything—discussions, dynamics, accountability, and even how they view themselves. To help foster that awareness, start here:

• Have a discussion with students (as a class or individually)
• Make them aware they have five basic needs
• Explain that everyone has these needs and is constantly trying to meet them
• Acknowledge that sometimes we make poor choices while trying to meet our needs
• Emphasize that they aren’t “bad,” and they aren’t defined by their behaviors
• Highlight that we are all just doing the best we can
• Encourage awareness of their needs and choices
• Explain that with awareness, they can make positive changes

If you want to go deeper than this, I’ve done the work for you! I’ve created a fully resourced, engaging, and editable SEL lesson designed to help students not only understand their needs but also reflect on their behaviours and make positive changes. Grab it here!

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

• Shop all resources
• Join The Behaviour Club
• My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management
• The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp
• Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change'

Connect with me:

• Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables
• Check out my website