Explain rules clearly to children so they understand what is expected of them and know what actions will give them a negative consequence.
Identify negative behaviors as soon as possible. Do not wait until the behavior becomes a serious problem. You will just have to "undo" more bad habits the longer you wait to modify negative behaviors into appropriate behavior.
Encourage appropriate behavior frequently. Children want to hear what they are doing well. Praise the behavior that you want to see and the children are more likely to display those actions more often.
Create a successful environment where children have opportunities to practice age-appropriate social skills. If you do not have an environment where kids can receive positive attention and earn privileges they may rely on more negative behavior to find attention.
Teach conflict and social skills to children and give them the chance to practice those skills with some adult guidance. Remember that the best way to teach appropriate social skills is to model them yourself. Children pick up adult behavior quickly
Enforce negative consequences consistently. Clearly and immediately explain to the child what their behavior was and why it was not appropriate. You may choose to temporarily or permanently take away a specific privilege from the child as well.
Document the progress of behavior issues with children. This will help you see if specific behaviors are increasing or decreasing.
Communicate with families regarding the behavior of their children. Let them know where and when you see the child at their best. If a negative behavior keeps occurring, work with parents to find other ways to address the issue.