Are you looking for genius tricks to teach students not to destroy other people’s property? If so, keep reading.

1. Teach the learner to think before acting (e.g., they should ask themselves, “What is happening?” “What am I doing?” “What should I do?” “What will be best for me?”).

2. Get the learner to question any directions, explanations, and instructions not grasped.

3. Converse with the learner about ways of handling situations successfully without conflict (e.g., walk away from a situation, change to another learning experience, ask for help, etc.).

4. Select a peer to model appropriate care and handling of others’ property for the learner.

5. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

6. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for demonstrating appropriate care and handling of others’ property at school.

7. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., putting property away, returning property, etc.) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

8. Praise the learner for demonstrating appropriate care and handling of others’ property based on the duration of time the learner can be successful. As the learner shows success, gradually increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

9. Praise those students in the classroom who demonstrate appropriate care and handling of others’ property.

10. Select a peer to model appropriate care and handling of others’ property for the learner.

11. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Complete assignments quietly. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

12. Praise the learner for demonstrating appropriate care and handling of others’ property: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

13. Converse with the learner to explain (a) what the learner is doing wrong (e.g., defacing property, destroying property, etc.) and (b) what the learner should be doing (e.g., putting property away, returning property, etc.).

14. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

15. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

16. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

18. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.