#130: Dealing with defiance? You don't need to say a word - you just need these 3 game-changing non-verbal strategies!

The Unteachables Podcast

When talking more makes things worse… try this.

Ever felt like the more you say, the more defiant your students become?
Yeah. Been there.

This episode is all about the subtle magic of nonverbal strategies — those tiny, calm, game-changing tools that help you shift students out of defiance and into direction without saying a word.

Whether you're dealing with low-level defiance, overwhelm, shutdowns or full-blown phone battles, this is your gentle reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is say nothing at all.

Instead, I'm walking you through 3 of my favourite nonverbal classroom tools:
✅ Choice Cards
✅ Post-it Prompts
✅ Movement Tasks

Each one is designed to help you preserve your calm, keep your credibility intact, and create safety — for your nervous system and theirs.

These tools are gold. They’ve saved my sanity. And I want them to do the same for you.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why “shutting your mouth” can sometimes be the best classroom strategy
• How to give students ownership without surrendering the boundary
• The psychological reason these tools reduce defiance (spoiler: it’s about safety)
• Exactly what to write on post-it notes to de-escalate without saying a word
• How a simple movement prompt can act as a nervous system reset
• What to do when you want to build rapport without people-pleasing

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Waitlist for The Behaviour Club: https://www.the-unteachables.com/tbc

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

• Shop all resources
• Join The Behaviour Club
• My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management
• The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp
• Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change'

Connect with me:

• Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables
• Check out my website

Chapters

1. Introduction to Classroom Management Reimagined (00:00:00)

2. Three Non-Verbal Strategies for Defiance (00:01:43)

3. Choice Cards: Turning No into Yes (00:03:49)

4. Post-it Notes: Private Prompts (00:06:30)

5. Movement Options: Pattern Interrupts (00:08:59)

6. Preserving Relationships While Setting Boundaries (00:12:45)