I just read a report from a survey that was conducted by Ed Week Research Center that kindergartners are having an increase in temper tantrums. The article stated that it was the result of the pandemic and parental stress. I think we as educators fall short because we read reports about an increase in poor behaviors, yet there are no solutions to help educators with the situation.
When I was teaching students with disabilities in an elementary school in an urban area, my classroom was in an open space classroom with 4 other grade-level teachers. I had a child who had intense emotional problems and was a runner. I did not have a door; I was in an alcove in the back. The principal did not care what I taught or did with the students because they were special needs students. The only thing the principal cared about was that I kept the kids in the classroom. So I developed a plan with one other teacher and her students to help when he needed to run or a change of scenery. I had to learn how to deal with disruptive behaviors.
Here are 3 quick ways to deal with temper tantrums and other problem behaviors.
1. Provide directions to the child so that the child can feel they are safe and being heard. Many times, the child will have a tantrum because they are frustrated and feel they are not being heard.
2. Give them alternatives to poor behavior. An example, when you stop, we can draw a picture.
3. After the situation, discuss with the child what happened and how we can work together so it does not happen again.
We need to provide teachers and administrators with more support in dealing with disruptive behaviors. Now more than ever.
