Are you looking for ways to encourage students to respond appropriately when others receive success or praise? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the learner to take part in games or learning activities with a younger learner with whom they will not have a competitive relationship. As the learner shows appropriate behavior, slowly have the learner take part in games or learning activities with older, more skilled peers.

2. Ask the learner a question when they are most likely to be able to respond correctly (e.g., when discussing something in which the learner is interested, when the teacher is sure they know the answer, etc.).

3. Take into account the learner’s age and experience before expecting them to behave properly when others do well or receive praise or attention.

4. Teach the learner to respect others by respecting the learner.

5. Urge the learner to refrain from comparing themselves to others.

6. Convey your feelings in a socially acceptable way.

7. Praise the learner for behaving properly when others do well or receive praise or attention: (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.).

8. Do not let the learner participate if the task or situation is too stimulating.

9. Praise and recognize equally all members of the class.

10. Assess the appropriateness of the task or situation to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

11. 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 behaving properly at school.

12. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., making a positive comment) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

13. Praise the learner for behaving properly 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.

14. Praise those students in the classroom who behave properly when others do well or receive praise or attention.

15. Converse with the learner to explain (a) what the learner is doing wrong (e.g., getting angry, having a tantrum, etc.) and (b) what the learner should be doing (e.g., making positive remarks, continuing to participate appropriately, etc.).

16. Create a set of standard behavior rules for group games: • Follow up rules of the game. • Take turns. • Make positive remarks. • Complete as a team member. • Become an excellent sport. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

17. Select a peer to model behaving properly when others do well or receive praise or attention for the learner.

18. Get the learner to question any directions, explanations, or instructions not grasped.

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

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