Are you looking for ways to teach students not to snatch things from others? If so, keep reading.

1. Teach the learner acceptable ways to express displeasure, anger, frustration, etc.

2. Do not assume the learner is being treated nicely by others. Peers may be stimulating unacceptable behavior.

3. Teach the learner to ask for things positively. Teach keywords and phrases (e.g., “May I borrow your pencil?” “Do you mind if l play with your ball?” etc.).

4. Teach the learner the concept of sharing by having the learner borrow from others. Require them to ask permission before doing so.

5. Teach the learner to take turns sharing possessions (e.g., each child may use the markers for 15 minutes; one child bats while the other throws the ball, and then players change places after three hits, etc.).

6. Give the learner enough things that sharing will not be appropriate. As the learner learns to share, slowly lessen the number of things.

7. Teach the learner to think before acting (e.g., they should ask themselves, “What is happening? “What am I doing?” “What should I do?” “What will be best for me?” etc.).

8. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., not grabbing things away from others) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

9. Praise those students in the classroom who demonstrate appropriate behavior in reference to others’ belongings.

10. Take the learner away from the learning experience until they can demonstrate appropriate behavior and self-control.

11. Praise the learner for demonstrating appropriate behavior 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.

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

13. Connect with the parents to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for appropriate use or consideration of others’ belongings at school.

14. Talk with the learner to explain(a) what the learner is doing wrong (e.g., grabbing things from others) and (b) what the learner should be doing (e.g., asking to use things, borrowing, sharing, returning, etc.).

15. Praise the learner for demonstrating appropriate behavior: (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.).

16. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

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

18. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

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