Work for Challenging Children

11/03/2008

Work for Challenging Children

No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.
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)

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.