Managing Behavior Creatively

02/02/2011

If caring is to be maintained, clearly, the one caring must be maintained. She must be strong, courageous, and capable of joy.
Nel Noddings, Caring: A Relational Approach to Ethics and Moral Education

In her article, "Hard Joys: Managing Behavior with a Creative Mind and Playful Spirit," which is the basis for the Exchange Out of the Box Training Kit by the same name, one of the ideas presented by Lilli-ann Buffin was to think in terms of "energy zones":

"Sometimes a child's difficulties will be expressed in a physical release of tension. There are those children who spit, bite, yell, or want to. Others will hit, slap, pinch, or want to. And yet others will run, stomp, kick, or want to. Claudia Jewett has described these as 'energy zones.' Recognizing a child's energy zone opens the door to creative problem solving by redirecting the energy but continuing to use the child's preferred 'zone'....

"If you allow your mind to wander through the energy zones, a lot of creative, even fun, solutions begin to emerge. Instead of getting into a battle of words with a child whose energy zone is in her mouth, why not say, 'You have a lot of energy in your mouth right now. Try chomping on a carrot (or sipping water through a straw, or singing into the tape recorder . . . ) to get it under control. Then we can calmly find a solution to this problem.' The child who has so much energy in his legs and feet that he cannot rest might respond to a furry strip at the bottom of his cot on which he can rub his bare toes. The child whose hands are getting him into trouble could stop and fold some washcloths. Giving children time and a task to get their emotional energy under control can be more positive and meaningful than time out alone. It also gives the child insight about her energy zone and ideas for gaining control when you are not present....

"Let's use the same creativity and playful spirit to teach children about their emotions and self-control as we do to teach them about their world and how to use tools and materials. Our joys will be greater. With practice, creative solutions will come naturally."

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