Are you looking for genius tricks to encourage students to interact with their teachers? If so, keep reading.

1. Spend individual time with the learner. Do not give more attention to more outgoing students.

2. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for interacting with teachers at school.

3. Do not force the learner to interact.

4. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., sitting near the teacher, talking to the teacher, etc.) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

5. Praise the learner for interacting with teachers based on the duration of time the learner can be successful. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

6. Pair the learner with an outgoing learner who engages in conversation with teachers frequently.

7. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Complete assignments quietly. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

8. Talk with the learner to explain(a) what the learner is doing wrong (e.g., not talking, not making eye contact, etc.) and (b) what the learner should be doing (e.g., talking, looking at the teacher, etc.).

9. Praise the learner for interacting with teachers: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

10. Maintain trust and confidentiality with the learner at all times.

11. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

12. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.