The third recommendation is to punish intelligently. Using the student’s ability to help someone else – photocopying in the office, or helping maintenance staff – is likely to increase their self-worth and reduce their need for recognition that comes from negative attention. Teachers should also observe the student being competent. This may mean watching them play netball or soccer at lunch or sitting in on a music class. The more a student feels the teacher values them and likes them, the less likely they are to misbehave.
Lewis says that after entering high school the sense of belonging of students decreases until they are about 14. Misbehavior levels peak over the same period and decline after students enter senior years about the age of 15.