Need strategies to guide a child with challenging behaviour?
Discover how you can support children with challenging behaviour with these helpful tips for parents and educators
Supporting a child with challenging behaviour can be exhausting and emotional, but help is available beyond the home. Tutors, teachers, and educators are key in helping children with behavioural difficulties succeed. Through their guidance, children can learn new skills, develop strategies, and build confidence to manage their emotions and actions more effectively.
Handling tantrums, defiance, or emotional outbursts can be tough for parents, but these challenges are also common for educators. When parents and teachers work together, they can build a supportive environment at home and in school that helps children thrive. It takes teamwork, and having teachers or tutors who understand these struggles can make a big difference.
Raising and educating children with challenging behaviour can be hard, but every small step forward counts. The patience, care, and commitment shown by parents and teachers provide children with the chance to learn and thrive. Your efforts make a difference, and the progress made now helps build a stronger foundation for their future.
Challenging behaviour is when a child acts in ways that are hard for parents, teachers and tutors to handle. This could include refusing to follow instructions, throwing tantrums when upset, being aggressive like shouting or hitting, or completely shutting down and avoiding interactions.
Children often show these behaviours when they’re trying to express feelings like frustration, fear, or tiredness but don’t know how to handle them yet. By seeing these actions as a way of communicating, parents and educators can start to understand and address the feelings or needs causing the behaviour.
Challenging behaviour in children is often linked to their stage of development. As they grow, children can go through rapid changes that make them feel overwhelmed or frustrated. For example, toddlers who lack strong language skills might use actions to express what they need, while older children may push boundaries as they work towards gaining independence. Another common cause is when their emotional needs aren’t being met.
A child who feels ignored, misunderstood, or unsupported might act out to get attention or show they’re upset. Other challenges, like changes to their routine, family arguments, moving to a new home, or starting at a new school, can also lead to difficult behaviour. Understanding what causes these reactions helps parents and educators respond with patience and kindness, creating a positive environment where the child can learn to manage their emotions better.
Understanding why a child behaves a certain way can help us see what they really need or feel. This lets parents, teachers and tutors deal with the cause of the behaviour, not just the behaviour itself. With this understanding, they can give comfort, adjust routines, or get professional help if needed. By focusing on the reasons behind the actions, it’s easier to help the child find better ways to show their feelings and handle their emotions.
Routines are important for helping children feel safe and emotionally stable. Knowing what will happen during the day can reduce uncertainty, which might otherwise cause behavioural problems. For example, having set times for meals, bed, and homework can make the day feel more organised. Parents could also add simple habits, like reading a bedtime story or having family chats, to create a supportive daily routine that helps children grow and succeed.
Positive reinforcement is a helpful way to encourage children to repeat good behaviours by rewarding their efforts. This might involve compliments like “Great job sharing your toys!”, giving a sticker for finishing a chore, or allowing extra playtime for good behaviour. To make positive reinforcement work well, it’s important to give rewards straight after the behaviour happens so the child understands the connection. Parents should also ensure the rewards match the child’s age and are realistic to maintain their motivation.
Children are more likely to follow rules when they are explained clearly and in a way that makes sense to them. Whether it’s about tidying up their belongings or following school instructions, having straightforward rules reduces confusion and makes it easier for them to follow. It’s also important that these rules are suitable for their age and abilities. For example, expecting a young child to sit still for a long time can lead to frustration. Clear and realistic rules not only help shape their behaviour but also build trust and respect between parents and children.
Staying calm during a behavioural outburst works better than reacting with strong emotions. If parents respond with frustration or anger, it can make the situation worse and harder to solve. Instead, parents can take a deep breath, count to ten, or step away for a moment to stay composed. A calm reaction shows self-control and gives children a good example to follow. By staying in control of their emotions, parents can handle the behaviour in a better way, creating a more peaceful and positive environment during tough times.
Forming a positive relationship with students can help teachers handle difficult behaviour in the classroom more effectively. By building trust and understanding, teachers can encourage teamwork, reduce conflicts, and improve communication with their students. Below are some strategies educators can use to support students who display challenging behaviours.
Children who act out might be dealing with personal problems or challenges at home. Being understanding of their situation can help them feel seen and valued, which can boost their confidence and encourage better behaviour.
Some students may misbehave because they don’t know how to handle conflicts or challenges in the right way. By teaching problem-solving skills, educators can equip them with strategies to manage their emotions and resolve issues more positively. This can lead to better behaviour and improved grades in school.
Using positive reinforcement in the classroom, much like in parenting, can encourage good behaviour. By recognising and rewarding students for their efforts and improvement, teachers can motivate them to keep making positive choices.
Strong communication between teachers and parents is key to helping children with challenging behaviours. By sharing information about a child’s behaviour and collaborating on solutions, educators and parents can work as a team to support the child’s well-being and growth.
Getting professional support is a brave and important step. It shows strength, not weakness, to admit when you need help and to ask for it. Experts can give you useful tools and advice to deal with problems, improve your relationships, and take care of your mental health. Remember, asking for support is a smart and positive choice that shows you’re ready to grow and make things better.
Getting help from a professional can really benefit both parents and children. It can help families understand each other better and work together more smoothly. For parents, it’s a way to learn how to handle stress, communicate clearly, and deal with challenges like disagreements or behaviour problems. For children, experts can give advice that matches their age and feelings, helping them express themselves and build confidence. By working with a professional, families can become closer, create better habits, and enjoy a more supportive home where everyone can do well.
If your family needs personalised tutoring to help with challenging behaviour, contact Bright Heart today. With our special ‘Bright Heart Approach’, we provide a caring and customised learning experience for every student. We take the time to understand each child’s needs and match them with the right tutor to help them succeed.
Contact us today to find out how we can help support your child’s learning and education.
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