Are you looking ways to teach students not to start arguments and fights with peers? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the learner to put themselves in someone else’s place (e.g., “How would you feel if someone called you dumb or stupid?”).

2. Praise those students in the classroom who connect appropriately.

3. Urge the learner to use problem-solving skills: (a) find the problem, (b) find goals and objectives, (c) create strategies, (d) create a plan of action, and (e) carry out the plan.

4. Do not provide too much free time for the learner.

5. 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?”).

6. Let the learner voice their opinion in a situation to avoid becoming angry or upset.

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

8. 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 demonstrating appropriate behavior at school.

9. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., communicating with peers positively) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

10. Make sure there will always be adult supervision where the learner will be (e.g., lunch, recess, P.E., etc.).

11. Praise the learner for communicating appropriately 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. Do not force the learner to interact with others.

13. Do not leave the learner alone with other students when the learner is upset or angry.

14. 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.

15. Talk with the learner to explain(a) what the learner is doing wrong (e.g., calling names, making unacceptable gestures, etc.) and (b) what the learner should be doing (e.g., following the rules, staying on-task, paying attention to their duties, etc.).

16. Praise the learner for communicating appropriately with peers: (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.).

17. Refrain from the discussion of topics that are sensitive to the learner (e.g., divorce, unemployment, alcoholism, etc.).

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

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

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

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