Greetings NAEYC Members,
Yes, great ready to deal with challenging behaviors as a teacher of young or for that matter any age children. As a Teacher and a Behavior Therapist I have had the advantage of being trained in behavior modification techniques. Know this; there a 4 reasons for behavior : 1:ATTENTION 2: Access to tangibles 3:Escape from the demand or request and 4: Sensory supply or self stimulation.
These are the 4 main reasons so what a teacher an do is use this knowledge and give a TON of praise when the students are DOING it correct in front of the child with the challenging behavior. Example : "I LOVE the way everyone is listening to me when I asked everyone to sit on the carpet for story time today, awesome job everyone". The challenging student will see and notice the positive attention is given when they "conform" and usually this works if done often. Give stickers and reinforcers for the positive behavior, give what you can, smile and let the reinforcement begin.
Remove easy access to the tangibles that the challenging behavior student likes. This way they will have to earn it or work for it.
Escape is difficult, hopefully if they are receiving enough ATTENTION and reinforcement they will not try to escape or avoid the request. But be ready to block the exit of your classroom with what you can safely, oftentimes I use a bean bag chair.
Sensory tables are great, play doh and other sensory bins are always a great idea. If any child/student is showing frustration, offer them time at the sensory bins. Be creative, tubs, bins, Tupperware filled with rice even helps. Look on Pinterest, they have hundreds of ideas that are designed for this purpose.
Happy Fall to y'all,
Blessings and Joy,
Hedy
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Hedy Dembowski, B.A., ECE
Early Childhood Educator
Riverside County Office of Education
Menifee CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 12:24 PM
From: Stephanie Durham
Subject: Challenging Behaviors
Hello,
I need some resources to help a teacher who has a couple of children with challenging behaviors. We utilize SEFEL and FlipIt. It is difficult redirecting them and at times they get aggressive with the other children and the teachers. We have had an extra person in the classroom to help out. That did not seem to help. We are in the waiting period between the observation being completed and the parents following up with the therapist.
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Stephanie Durham
Education Manager
Salisbury NC
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