Helen Davies is a Key Stage 2 teacher from Pembrokeshire.

"I've been teaching for 35 years now and I've always found that praise and reward for good behaviour gets better results than just condemnation and telling off for bad behaviour.

In my class we celebrate achievement and effort so that everyone knows about it. I do this in lots of ways, for instance, asking pupils who produce good work to share it with the rest of the class - they'll read out their written work and show off their artwork. Also, I award pupils who behave particularly well with merit tickets, then small prizes are given each half term for collecting a certain number of tickets.

If children don't make an effort or behave badly, I usually say something like, isn't it sad that you're not using the talents that you've been given? I try not to give poor behaviour the time and attention that good behaviour receives.

I'm also a great believer in talking things through. Whenever two pupils in my class quarrel, I bring them together to talk about it. I ask them both to explain what happened, what went wrong, starting at the very beginning. By talking it through, they can agree what started the quarrel and how they can make up again. The discussion always ends with a handshake and the two usually end up going off together with a smile on their faces. The handshake seems to be a really important part of making up.

Advice to parents
Try to build a framework for good behaviour in which your child knows what is acceptable and what is not.

Good behaviour and effort should ALWAYS be highlighted and celebrated.

More time should be given to praise than condemnation.

Provide as much support and encouragement as you can in everything your child does.

Work with the class teacher to overcome any problems your child might have. At the same time, encourage your child to be honest and open and not to be afraid to share his/her problems."

Helen, Pembrokeshire

For more information see our section on 'Parenting for good behaviour'.