1. Cooperative Discipline: Attention Seeking
Look at me!

2. Attention Seeking
“Some students choose misbehavior to get extra attention. They want to be center stage at all times and constantly distract the teacher and their classmates to gain an audience.” Albert, 1996

3. What are the factors that cause a student to act this way?
Extra attention
Need attention to feel important.
They are “little” actors and actresses.
Youngsters usually seek adult attention.
Teenagers seek peer attention.

4. What’s wrong with wanting attention?
Attention seeking can lead to:
Risky behaviors in adolescents
Sexual promiscuity
Alcohol and drug use
Suicidal thoughts and actions
Feeling of inadequacy and low self-esteem

5. 2 Forms of Attention Seeking
Active
Passive

6. Active Type Uses attention-getting mechanisms that disrupt class.
Sticking out tongue
Tapping pencils
Trips classmates
Constantly pleads for help
Grooming in class
Passes notes

7. Passive Type Attention getting mechanisms rarely disrupt the class.
Water torture techniques.
Small things that grow into mountains.
Often uses the slow,
slower, slowest
strategy.

8. Identifying Attention- Seeking Behaviors
Attention Clue 1: When confronted with attention-seeking behavior, we generally feel irritated and annoyed. The needle on our emotional pressure gauge registers “mild”.

9. Identifying Attention- Seeking Behaviors
Attention Clue 2:
We typically react by nagging, reminding, cajoling and scolding. Sometimes we take over and do for the child what they should
be doing.

10. Origins of Attention-Seeking Behaviors
Rewards
Not knowing how to ask for what they want
Contributing Factors (home life)
Legitimate Needs

11. Principles of Prevention
Catch them being good.
Teach them to ask for attention.

12. Attention Interventions
Strategy 1: Minimize the attention
Refuse to respond
Give the “teacher eye”
Stand close by
Use name dropping techniques
Use non-verbal clues or secret signals
Use an I message relating your feelings

13. Strategy 2: Clarify Desired Behavior
State Grandma’s Law….”First you work, then we play.”
Use the Target-Stop-Do strategy…..”Luciano, stop talking to Bend, face me, and see if you can find a solution to problem 3 on the board.”

14. Strategy 3: Legitimize the Behavior
Create an “on the spot” lesson from the misbehavior that turns the problem into “work”.
Extend the behavior to its most extreme form.

15. Strategy 4: Do the Unexpected
Turn out the lights.
Play a musical sound.
Lower your voice.
Change your voice.
Talk to the wall.
Use one-liners.
Cease teaching.

16. Strategy 5: Distract
Ask a direct question with their name and put them on the spot.
Ask a favor.
Give choices.
Change the activity and
use the element of surprise.

17. Strategy 6: Move the Student
Attention-seekers like an audience.
Change the student’s seat.
Use the Thinking Chair or isolation area.

18. Let’s Practice!
In groups of 2 or 3, practice using these strategies to reduce misbehavior.
Minimize the problem
Legitimize the problem
Do the unexpected
Distract the student