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
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Article added to SearchWarp.com on 7/19/2005 11:05:48 AM. View other articles written bySheree Marty(3,300)
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