How do you respond to difficult behaviors in childcare?
When children are engaging in challenging behavior, interrupt, and redirect the child to the appropriate alternative behavior using minimal attention, discussion, and emotion. Your redirect should focus on stating what the child should or might do.
- Praise good behavior while ignoring negative behavior. Positive reinforcement will help the child focus on what is expected of them and encourage good behaviors.
- Try a classroom reward chart. ...
- Use positive language. ...
- Create a visual schedule.
Daycare and in-home care settings do not have a mandate to care for a child who is a threat to themself and others. They have the right to turn away or expel a child for any reason. Child care providers must consider everyone's needs, happiness, and overall family satisfaction.
Early Childhood Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) autism spectrum disorder (ASD) anxiety disorder.
- Remember your first goal is to de-escalate the situation. ...
- Acknowledge good behavior. ...
- Give the student an alternative to their challenging behavior. ...
- Reset the situation. ...
- Ask for help. ...
- Understand school is only one part of a child's life. ...
- Pay attention to your behavior.
- Stay calm. ...
- Don't give in to tantrums or aggressive behavior. ...
- Catch your child being good. ...
- Help your child learn to express themself by naming emotions. ...
- Know your child's patterns and identify triggers. ...
- Find appropriate rewards.
- Stay calm when tantrums happen. ...
- Pause before you act. ...
- Try distracting the child. ...
- Remove the child from the situation. ...
- Ignore the tantrum. ...
- Hold the child. ...
- Comfort and reassure the child. ...
- Talk about the problem when the child calms down.
- Address your Feelings. ...
- Emphasize that You're on the Same Team. ...
- Ask Questions. ...
- Empathize. ...
- Be Specific. ...
- Stay Focused on the Issue at Hand. ...
- Respect their Choice. ...
- Follow-up After a Difficult Conversation.
- (re)establishing a safe and routine-based environment which ensures children know what to expect in their day.
- Helping children establish a sense of security and trust in their adult care givers.
- (re)introducing laughter, joy, play and exploration into their lives'
- Strengthen your relationship with the child.
- Create consistent routines.
- Support children through transitions.
- Set positive behavior expectations.
- Teach social and emotional skills.
- Promote positive peer interactions.
How would you handle a difficult situation with a child?
Without pushing, encourage them to talk by asking what they think about the situation that's upsetting them. By helping them verbalize their questions and fears, you let them know you intend to go through this with them. Don't be afraid to share your own feelings. You don't need to say too much.
- Change the setting. ...
- Respond calmly. ...
- Teach alternate behaviors. ...
- Give your students choice. ...
- Notice the positive, and offer students encouragement. ...
- Practice consistency in your classroom.

- Do What Your Students Don't Expect. ...
- Find Positive Things about Them. ...
- Don't Act too Bossy or Showcase Bad Modeling. ...
- Support Your Students' Sense of Belonging. ...
- Reprimand in a Different Manner.
References
- https://www.kidcentraltn.com/support/crisis-services-for-children/helping-children-through-a-difficult-time.html
- https://www.verywellfamily.com/when-your-youngster-is-let-go-from-child-care-616922
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-management-behavior-challenges/202112/responding-behavioral-challenges-in-the-classroom
- https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/behavioral-disorders-in-children
- https://challengingbehavior.org/docs/PEP_Tips-responding-challenging-behavior.pdf
- https://www.ctoec.org/supporting-young-children-with-challenging-behavior/
- https://childcare.extension.org/dealing-with-toddler-temper-tantrums-in-child-care/
- https://www.himama.com/blog/challenging-behavior-in-toddlers/
- https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2018/06/handling-challenging-behavior-problems-in-the-classroom
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-ways-to-deal-with-your-childs-aggressive-behavior/
- https://www.vancopayments.com/education/blog/child-care-how-to-communicate-with-parents
- https://www.prosolutionstraining.com/resources/articles/five-strategies-for-reducing-challenging-behavior.cfm
- https://www.careforkids.com.au/child-care-articles/article/100/stress-reduction-strategies-for-children-in-care