​Keeping your scholar on track while learning at home can be a challenge. There will inevitably be times when they become distracted and even misbehave. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to promote positive behavior and help your scholar practice the social skills that will be crucial not only in school but throughout life.

The principles of a positive behavior approach can apply to remote learning as well as to the classroom environment:

• Be kind and firm. BellXcel teachers strive to be a warm and friendly presence to their scholars. At the same time, they maintain high expectations for scholars’ academic work and behavior.
• Emphasize belonging and significance. Every scholar understands that they are an important and valued member of the learning community.
• Support social and life skills. Scholars learn to listen to others, to resolve conflicts, and to reflect on how their actions affect others.
• Unlock a sense of capability. As scholars grow more confident and take ownership of their learning, they develop a greater sense of their own capability. There’s less temptation to misbehave because they are too busy tackling new challenges!

Here are some ways that you can foster your child’s positive behavior as they participate in BellXcel Remote.

Be attentive and supportive. Children see themselves reflected in the eyes of adults. That’s why we call our students “scholars”—to show that we see them as learners who can succeed in school and in life. Take opportunities to convey to your scholar that their work in BellXcel is important because they are important.

Set clear guidelines. Establish some basic rules of behavior that you, your child, and other members of the household agree to. These might include following the daily schedule, asking for help when needed, listening when others are speaking, keeping the learning space neat, and so on. Write these guidelines out and post them where everyone can see them. Revisit them regularly to add or revise guidelines as needed.

Look for simple solutions first. Misbehavior is one way that children communicate a need. If your scholar acts out in some way, consider what they might need in that moment. It might be as simple as needing to take a break and move around after a period of sitting still. Or, they might be struggling with a task and need some help.

Use consequences, not punishment. Knowing what the consequences of certain actions will be gives your scholar a feeling of control. They are responsible for their own actions and their logical effects. Use consequences—such as taking a mindful minute—as teaching opportunities in which the scholar thinks about what has happened and how any damage can be repaired.

Take a mindful minute. When misbehavior happens, consider giving your child time to sit in a quiet place and reflect on the event. You might have them think about these questions before discussing them together:

• What happened?
• What were you thinking at the time?
• What do you think about it now?
• Who did this affect?
• What do you need to do about it?
• How can we make sure this doesn’t happen again?
• What can I do to help you?

Next: Scholar Motivation