How to Deal With Difficult Children at School

Teachers frequently encounter students with behavioral issues.

Teachers have to manage an entire classroom of students, all of whom have different personalities and temperaments. Invariably, a typical class will have at least two students who are difficult to handle. There may be behavioral and emotional issues or a combination of both involved in a child's actions. As the teacher, educate yourself about the child's history and seek other resources that will enable you to help the student. These actions may allow you to restore peace to the situation and the classroom.

Instructions

1. Inform the principal and counselor about students' issues. When you notice behavior that is out of the ordinary or excessive like violence toward others or continual defiance in the classroom, talk to your administrators before it gets out of hand. Tell them what's going on or document it, so if you have to write a discipline referral later, they will already be apprised of the situation.

2. Contact parents and let them know what's going on. Sometimes teachers wait until they are frustrated before they talk to parents because they usually attempt to work out the problem themselves. Difficult children can cause year-long distress for themselves, the teacher and the class. Parents need to know at the same time that you inform the principal.

3. Develop a behavioral plan. Most school counselors will help you with this. Both of you will establish goals for the student and ways the goals can be reached. For example, one objective for a child with behavioral issues could be to obey the teacher without arguing every day for a week. If the child achieves this,she gets a sticker or other small prize. If the student is in upper elementary or middle school, the reward could be extra computer time.

4. Keep communicating. It is tempting to ignore problem students or put them in the back of the room and tolerate them until the year is over. However, this can backfire.The child might become even more disruptive or defiant. Instead of shutting a child out, continue to include him in classroom instruction. If he persists in disrespectful behavior, talk to him in private. Do not argue with a student and do not chastise him in front of his peers. State expectations firmly, but without rancor.

References

• The Apple: Classroom Discipline Tips-Dealing with Difficult Students and Parents
• Discipline By Design: Proactive Discipline
• Intervention Central: Defining Student Behavior Problems-Best Practice

Resources

• The Teacher's Guide: Classroom Management