ABSTRACT
All adults working in schools and with young people have experienced feelings of panic when normally successful behaviour management strategies fail to have any effect. Panic can quickly give rise to a range of different emotions. These can include anger, despair, frustration, hopelessness and self-doubt, leading to a lack of confidence. When this situation arises with an individual the problem can sometimes seem difficult. However, when teachers are faced with a whole class group, the dinner queue or an unruly group waiting for after school transport, the problem is suddenly multiplied. The school's expectations and boundaries should also be taught regularly to all students and not just referred to when problems arise. A particularly useful and effective strategy is to devise a consistent method of gaining student attention. Physical proximity, without invading personal space, can be a tremendously powerful tool when communicating with individual students.
