Whether parent or teacher, we have all "been
there" and "done that" with a child exhibiting refusal behaviors.
Before "losing your cool" and your power as well, interventions and
strategies are provided for use to help deescalate this classic power
struggle.
Interventions and Strategies
-Avoid placing yourself in a stand-off situation with the child.
-Don’t “mark a line in the sand" unless prepared to follow through with
the consequences on your own. Creating a demand situation….“You
will sit in your seat or I will call someone to seat you"….will cause
the authority figure to lose his/her power. This is a main goal
of oppositional children…personal control over their environment.
-Under a demand situation, especially with authority figures, an
oppositional child will be more likely to escalate to extreme
opposition. Stop talking. Give the child a chance to detach
from the situation with some power. Problem-solving the situation
when both parties are calm will prove more productive.
-Phrase requests which are more likely to bring an oppositional
response with a negative statement…"I don’t expect you would want to…."
Or “You probably wouldn’t want to….."
-Create a situation where it is more worth the child’s while to be part of.
-Use distraction.
-Give choices which give the student some control.
-Give the student a specific leadership role during stressful
transitions, such as day care dismissal. Monitoring younger
children for appropriate dismissal behavior, such as sitting quietly,
would be an example of a specific leadership role.
These children can be extremely
challenging. Should a pattern of continuing emotionality become
evident, additional advice from professionals, such as the child's
pediatrician or a school guidance counselor, would be recommended in
order to develop a positive behavior support system to help ensure
behavioral success.
Sheree S. Marty has worked with elementary school children as a school
counselor for the past nine years. A physical education teacher for
thirteen years, Ms. Marty earned her Master degree in Counseling in
2000. Ms. Marty is the author and owner of "Chinese Jump Rope", a
childrens games book and website. For more information, visit
http://chinesejumprope.tripod.com
» left by Priestess Kandi Ranson from Myrtle Beach, SC (4 years 54 days ago.)
Thanks for pointing this out. Infact this is a helpful tip. I have witnessed this method working with children. Respond to this comment
Was this article helpful to you? Leave a Public Comment or Question:
This Article has been viewed 1,887 times.
Article added to SearchWarp.com on 7/19/2005 11:05:48 AM. View other articles written bySheree Marty(3,296)
If you found this article interesting, you may want to check out:
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
tweet this!
