Precorrection
Prompting expected behaviour immediately before entering a context where problem behaviour is likely.
A precorrection is a brief, positive statement of what you expect before entering a situation you know is going to be hard. 'Before we go into the assembly, let's remember - we're sitting with our class, quiet voices, hands in our laps.' That's it.
The difference between a precorrection and a threat is tone and timing. A precorrection is delivered calmly before the situation, focuses on what to do rather than what not to do, and assumes the learner will succeed. A threat is delivered reactively, focuses on consequences for failure, and assumes the learner is about to make a poor choice.
Precorrections work because challenging behaviour in predictable contexts is often habitual rather than deliberate. The learner isn't plotting to disrupt the assembly - they just haven't had the expected behaviour clearly cued before entering. A brief, explicit prompt activates the right behaviour before the situation demands it.
Practitioners underuse this because it feels too simple. It is simple. That's not a reason to skip it.
Implementation
- Identify the specific contexts where problem behaviour is predictable and consistent.
- Prepare a brief, positively framed statement of expected behaviour.
- Deliver the precorrection immediately before entering the context - not minutes before.
- Keep it short: one to three specific expectations maximum.
- Follow up with specific praise when the learner meets the expectations.
Common Mistakes
- Framing the precorrection as a warning about consequences rather than a prompt for success.
- Delivering it too far in advance of the situation.
- Using so many precorrections throughout the day that they lose their signal value.