Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/a-place-where-all-children-can-thrive/5023710/
“I want it and you can’t have it,” yelled Janelle, as she pulled the truck out of Amy’s hand. “I’m gonna tell Miss Sally,” Amy shouted back. “Then you’re a dumb cry baby,” Janelle said and pushed Amy against the wall. Sally shook her head in frustration as she walked over to the block corner to address the problem. Since Janelle entered the program two months ago, the peaceful classroom atmosphere has disappeared. In contrast to her classmates who are learning to take turns, cooperate with others, express their emotions in non-hurting ways, and respect limits, Janelle expresses her hurt and anger with uncontrollable screaming, and by damaging toys and hurting other children. Daily life in the classroom has become a challenge as Janelle continues to struggle with expressing her feelings without violence and accepting basic classroom rules that other children have no difficulty following.
Janelle and her mother recently moved into a shelter for victims of domestic violence and her father is unable to have visitation until the Child Welfare Department completes its investigation of the case. Sally has exhausted her repertoire of strategies to address the aggressive behaviors. While her colleagues are sympathetic, they can offer few suggestions and Sally ...