Yelling At Kids Doesn’t Work

We’re approaching the time in the school year where things can begin to get tense. Students are going into their Spring mode as far as behavior is concerned. Teachers are approaching exhaustion. Needless to say, tensions can sometimes be high. Even though frustration can sometimes set in, yelling at students will not elicit the correct response.

I don’t know anyone that likes to be yelled at. Over the years I have witnessed several students who have come into school upset because their morning got off to a rough start. Maybe the student did something that their parent asked them not to do. Maybe they were moving too slow getting ready for school.

Whatever the reasons, an upset student is a student that is not ready to learn. Compound this with a teacher yelling at the same student and you have a possible explosive situation. There is a need for adults to be able to help students navigate these situations to facilitate a productive day.

As adults, we need to remember that students have feelings too. They deserve to be treated with respect. I know that there are instances when students yell at adults. In these situations you have to remain calm. The other students are watching how you will respond. The last thing you want to do is lose composure and say or do something that you will regret.

Our students have not reached their full mental capacity and can sometimes make decisions that are harmful. We need to be cognizant of this fact and guide them to think about their actions. Mutual respect will get us farther than intimidation.

Am I guilty of yelling at students? Once upon a time when I was a young teacher trying to figure things out, yes. Experience has afforded me the opportunity to gain knowledge and add tools into my repertoire. To be clear, there’s a difference in raising your voice to get students attention and yelling to try to get compliance.

Teaching is very relational. When the relationship is damaged in some way there has to be reconciliation. Young people, most times, are resilient and forgiving. We, as adults in education, have to be brave and vulnerable when we have wronged students in any way. You can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.