Are you looking for ways to teach students to behave appropriately while sitting at their desk? If so, keep reading.

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

2. Converse with the learner to explain (a) what they are doing wrong (e.g., tipping chair) and (b) what they must be doing (e.g., sitting with all chair legs on the floor).

3. Provide a predetermined signal (e.g., give a hand signal, ring a bell, etc.) when the learner begins to behave improperly while seated.

4. Talk with the learner to let them know what they are doing wrong, what they should be doing, and what the consequences are for unacceptable behavior.

5. Make sure that the chair or desk the learner designated is appropriate and/ or comfortable for them (e.g., the desk is not too high, the chair is not too small, etc.).

6. Select various people (e.g., peer, paraprofessional, friend, etc.) to reinforce the learner when they sit still.

7. Select a peer who has self-control. Urge the learner to observe that person and try to model the behaviors that contribute to self-control.

8. Place the learner away from peers to lessen the likelihood that the learner will behave improperly while in their seat.

9. Refrain from seating the learner near people with whom they may be enticed to converse during assemblies, seminars, group projects, etc.

10. Give the learner a specific description of appropriate in-seat behavior (e.g., facing forward, feet on floor, back straight, etc.).

11. Move materials used for tactile stimulation (e.g., pens, paper clips, loose change, etc.) away from the learner’s reach.

12. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., behaving properly while seated) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

13. Place the learner near the teacher.

14. Explain to the learner, after telling them to stop talking, the reason they should not be talking.

15. Remove any learning materials that the learner uses to make noise while seated.

16. Do not criticize when correcting the learner; be honest yet compassionate. Never cause the learner to feel negatively about themselves.

17. Provide consistent expectations for the learner to sit properly in their seat.

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.

22. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

23. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

24. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.