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Managing Challenging Behaviors: Adult Communication as a Prevention and Teaching Tool

by Tom Udell and Gary Glasenapp
July/August 2005
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Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/managing-challenging-behaviors-adult-communication-as-a-prevention-and-teaching-tool/5016435/

Using adult communication as a prevention and teaching tool

Over the past decade preschool and child care providers have reported a marked increase in the number of children exhibiting challenging behaviors. “Early childhood educators are generally not accustomed to seeing children who are extremely aggressive with peers; who are successful at resisting adult influence; who wear gang colors; and who bite, kick, and hit their teachers with clear intent to hurt.” (Walker, 1999). These behaviors interfere with children’s ability to relate to their peers, disrupt the learning environment, and may pose health and safety risks. For some families, these behaviors limit their child’s access to child care and/or preschool services.

A great number of articles are found in the professional literature that are intended to assist preschool and child care providers to effectively address these behavior issues. Much of the writing focuses on the important role of the classroom environment in the prevention of problem behaviors. Issues such as the physical layout of the room, the placement of pieces of furniture, and the numbers and types of visual distractions are important factors impacting children’s behavior (Dodge & Colker, 1996; Lawry & Strain, 1999).

The instructional environment, including the daily routine, transition ...

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