1. Include the group members in deciding the group rules. Let them help determine the consequences of breaking a rule they have all agreed to. When people are included in rule-making, they are more likely to follow them. The group members will also develop a sense of responsibility to the other group members—they will follow the rules because they know their peers expect them to.
2. Make sure the rules and expectations are appropriate for the age group. Rules that are beyond the member’s capacity to follow them will undoubtedly lead to a frustrated group member and leader. See Lesson 1 for more information about how kids develop.
3. Make sure the group members understands what is expected of them and what the group rules are before the problems even occur. Sometimes kids act up simply because they aren’t sure what the rules are.
4. Try to limit the number of explicit rules. Kids may get overwhelmed if there are too many rules they must remember. Decide if the behavior is important enough to justify creating a rule for it. Continually adjust and even get rid of rules when they are no longer needed or if they are not working.