Are you looking for ways to ensure that your students understand what is expected of them? If so, keep reading.

1. Make sure that eye contact is being made between you and the learner when delivering oral questions and instructions.

2. Give questions and instructions in written form.

3. Give chances for the learner to talk to others on a one-to-one basis. As the learner becomes more successful at listening and keeping attention, slowly include more people in conversations.

4. Make sure that your remarks are in the form of constructive criticism instead than criticism that can be perceived as personal, menacing, etc. (e.g., instead of saying, “You always make the same mistake,” say, “A better way to do that might be … “).

5. Minimize the number of auditory distractions around the learner (e.g., seat the learner away from doors, windows, pencil sharpener; move the learner to a quiet area, etc.).

6. Make sure the learner is paying attention when you deliver oral questions and instructions (e.g., making eye contact, hands are free of learning materials, looking at tasks, etc.).

7. Get a peer, paraprofessional, etc. signal the learner when they need to pay attention (e.g., the person can touch the learner on the arm when it is time to listen).

8. Make sure the learner is paying attention when they are told to do something. Get the learner to make eye contact and repeat the information to check for comprehension.

9. Get the learner’s hearing reviewed if it has not been reviewed recently.

10. Show ideas following the outline of (1) Who, (2) What, (3) Where, (4) On occasions where, (5) How, and (6) Why.

11. Show oral questions and instructions concisely and at an appropriate pace for the learner.

12. Show oral questions and instructions in an assortment of ways to increase the likelihood of comprehension (e.g., if the learner fails to understand oral instructions, present them in written form).

13. Give information visually (e.g., written instructions, directions, etc.) to support the information the learner receives auditorily.

14. Make sure that the expectations required of the learner are appropriate for their level of development and capacity and ability.

15. Create task rules (e.g., listen to instructions, wait until all oral instructions have been given, ask questions about anything not grasped, make sure you have all the appropriate learning materials, and begin the task when you are sure about what you are supposed to do, etc.).

16. Give practice in listening for crucial information when instructions are being given or information is being received (e.g., write down main points, ideas, step-by-step instructions, etc.).

17. Get the learner to orally repeat directions, explanations, and instructions after they have been given to reinforce retention.

18. Select a peer to deliver and/or repeat oral questions and instructions.

19. Give visual information (e.g., written instructions, instructions, etc.) to support the information the learner receives auditorily.

20. Minimize distracting stimuli (e.g., place the learner on or near the front row, give a table or “office” space away from distractions, etc.). Use this strategy to reduce distracting stimuli and not as a form of punishment.

21. Consider using a classroom management app to help the student learn to do what is expected of them. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

22. Consider using Alexa to help you with classroom management. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

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