What to Do about Kids Being Rude to Teachers

Decades ago, it was pretty rare to witness a child being rude to a teacher. Consequences were so severe that mist kids didn't even think about trying it! Today, rude behavior seems to be an epidemic. It happens often, and there is only so much a school can do. It is up to parents to really help get a handle on this issue and improve their child's behavior!

Improve Classroom Behavior

From kids telling teachers they don't want to do their work, to being downright rude, rude behavior is a problem that all teachers and schools must face. But if parents help to set the tone before kids even enter the classroom, rude behavior won't be an issue. During the tween and teen years, out-of-control behavior can start to really become a problem; kids may be trying to impress their classmates, get attention, and see how far they can push in their quest for independence. Here are some parenting tips to help manage rude behavior from kids:

• Set expectations on how you believe your child should act toward her teacher. You can do this by having open discussions with your child about how you expect her to behave and what the consequences are for not acting appropriately.
• Discuss rude behavior with your child and encourage her to apologize for any rude acts. If inappropriate classroom behavior continues to be a problem, you may want to speak with the school counselor to see what recommendations s/he can provide.
• Hold your child accountable for her behavior. You can do this by using some simple parenting tools, such as behavior charts and a parent-teacher-child contract.
• Use a behavior reflection sheet, to give your child the opportunity to analyze her behavior and brainstorm ways she could have behaved differently.
• Teach your child appropriate ways to respond. Sometimes rudeness is just a result of a lack of appropriate communication skills. You can even role play different situations so that they know appropriate ways to respond in particular situations.
• Try to find out if rudeness is being brought on by your child's peers or someone with whom she is spending time. If so, speak to your child about it and let her know that she will not be able to hang out with that person if the behavior continues.

One and the Same

Kids who are rude to the teacher are most likely rude at home as well. The two often go hand in hand. If you address the situation at home, it should also carry over into the classroom. By setting a good example and holding your child accountable, you will help to get rid of rudeness toward teachers!