Ever heard the saying that you need eyes in the back of your head when working with children?
It’s true! If you turn your back, even for a moment on some classes, all hell could be breaking loose!
So, it’s vital that you position yourself where you can always see everything that’s going on in your classroom. Even when are working with one child or a small group, make sure you are not sitting with children behind your back.
Strategically sitting where you can view the whole class gives you a major functional and psychological advantage:
- You can closely monitor pupil behaviour (and pick up and address issues early on)
- Pupils feel like they are being watched.
Why does that matter?
Well, research shows that people generally behave better when they feel they are being watched. (Check out this article to learn more.)
That’s why supermarkets position cardboard cut-outs of police officers in their doorways. Reminding thieves that they are being watched acts as a deterrent and has effectively reduced shoplifting.
If a problem arises in class, your next move might be to move in closer. This is what’s known as ‘proximity control.’
The very act of moving closer to pupils lets them know that someone is keeping an eye on them. Sometimes, without saying a word, moving closer to trouble hotspots instantly disperses the problem. Like magic!
Proximity control is super important in the playground too. Lunchtime supervisors have to actively look around and move around. Every inch of the playground must be seen to be monitored.
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