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Work for Challenging Children
November 3, 2008
No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.
-H. E Luccock (1885-1960), professor at Yale Divinity School
-H. E Luccock (1885-1960), professor at Yale Divinity School
In her Exchange article, "The Value of Real Work With Children Exhibiting Challenging Behavior," which is now available on the Exchange home page, Linda Ranson Jacobs proposes giving work to children with challenging behavior...
"When a child had to be removed from the classroom he or she was brought to the office. Our goal was to change the child’s outlook and give the child an opportunity to feel good about himself. Many times angry children have excessive energy. Using the energy constructively helps a child channel all of the energy into being helpful. What worked particularly well for children under stress was anything having to do with water, such as washing toys, washing dishes, and washing windows. Children that stomped or kicked were encouraged to vacuum the carpets. Depending on the child and the situation, choices might be offered, and the child allowed to pick what would help them get their body in control. By performing these jobs, the children began having positive experiences. They began to feel better about themselves and this transferred to better connections in their own world. Their world began to make sense; relationships began to flourish. Order and organization on the outside brought a sense of control with their emotions on the inside.
"Challenging behavior children were not given treats or stickers. They weren’t put on a point system. And most importantly they were not praised for their work. Before you fall completely out of your chair, let me explain. Children that are 'in trouble' all the time don’t feel worthy of praise, plus they don’t deserve praise. Why should we praise children for doing what they are supposed to do to fit into society? Sometimes when you praise these children, they will set out to prove you wrong."
Exchange's Many Resources on Challenging Behavior
Exchange has a number of extremely helpful resources for supporting teachers in dealing with children with challenging behaviors:
- Our Beginnings Workshop book, Behavior, has 24 articles written by experts in the field on how to deal with challenging behavior.
- Ten Out of the Box Training Kits on "Positive Discipline" provide directors with all the resources you need to conduct in-house training sessions.
- Two Exchange CEU modules, "Managing Challenging Behavior" and "Social and Emotional Development", provide credit for reading Exchange magazine articles.
- Exchange's newest resource, the DVD, Facing the Challenge (an expertly crafted video training tool).
Correction: Two More Exchange Writers Presenting At NAEYC
Robert Siegel — Exchange writer and World Forum planner
- "The Easter Seals Training Modules Project for including children with disabilities," Wednesday 9 am to Noon (Room D174)
Karen Nemeth -- Exchange writer
- Easy Technology Ideas that Work with ESL, Bilingual Education, and Language immersion Approaches." Friday 10 - 11:30 am (Room C155)
Comments (5)
Displaying All 5 CommentsDivorceCare for Kids
Wake Forest, NC, United States
Thanks to all who posted such wonderful messages. In 2002 my child care was part of a national research project called "The Models of Inclusion" through Portland State University, Portland, OR. We were one of 9 centers they sent a research team into. They observed for a complete week. They were amazed at how well the challenging behavior children functioned in a group situation. I have to contribute that to hard work from my staff and the fact that through real work, our kids felt valued and connected to our little society. They took ownership because they developed pride in their contributions.
Linda Ranson Jacobs
www.dc4k.org
United States
I am so glad to see this article again. I have saved the original article from my Exchange magazine. I currently use the information from this article in workshops I present and in writing a thesis on boys with "high energy". Having spent months observing several pre-k boys from different early childhood centers I have seen the benefits of "work jobs" and in many instances observed "real work" for children fading from their homes and sometimes their school environments. It might take a little more time initially to incorporate "work jobs" into ones curriculum but it is well worth the effort.
I enjoyed reading others responses to this article.
4C
United States
I especially like the idea of not praising the child, but instead valuing the contribution. Most children get so few opportunities for authentic contribution, and then we wonder why they are "selfish". It was a good reminder, too, to let go of perfectionism and let each child contribute in their unique way.
the grand child care center
chicago, IL, United States
Nice thought to start the week!
Yes, Very often smart and energetic children misbehave because of not having enough challenging task . When a child misbehaves ,we give him/her a special assignment. Asking him to help us tear off the junk mail[actually some random papers]
ripping off in small tiny pieces we occupy child's mind for a while. Gives him enough time to calm down and feeling that he helped us in organizing , he returns back to the group.
just like adults, children feel good too when they think that they have helped some one.
Water helps them too, but if you are a small center and turn your back to answer the other group, the water will come to your table...
Few years a go , we made paper balls from those tiny paper pieces.. but that story some other time.
Have a nice day... Geeta Bhatt.
Home Ties Child Care Center
Iowa City, Iowa, United States
I've used "work release" for years. It's a great way to help the children feel positive about themselves. A favorite project for us was having the children put away paper towels into the storage cupboard. They loved it. It kept them busy and they had something to show for it when they were done. Washing toys and dishes, scrubbing floors, and sweeping are also useful projects. The children do not look at it as punishment. They always seem much calmer and ready to be in the classroom after they have completed their task. I'm glad to see that someone else has discovered this successful strategy for challenging children.
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