Behaviour Management Course Handout

What is challenging behaviour?

Verbal threats and insults

Lack of communication at all

Inability to express feelings

Misreading or misunderstanding of feelings

Inability to play for themselves

Inability to restructure or change daily activities 

Clumsiness or lack of care in movements 

Problems with peers 

Why do children have challenging behaviour?

• Functional
• Effective
• Learnt
• Ingrained
• Communicative
• Subjectively defined
• Context specific
• Socio-culturally constructed

Managing Challenging behaviour

• Proactive – things we teach 
• Active – things we introduce to calm or distract
• Reactive – planned interventions 

Behaviour Management plan

• Identify the child and any needs they have 
• Identify the triggers for challenging behaviour
• Identify the why they may be presenting this behaviour
• Identify any strategies in place and how to enforce them 
• Allow for flexibility or a new process
• Consult with parents if need be
• Review and update when needed

What are the benefits of Managing challenging behaviour?

• Happier learning environment 
• Safer for children and staff 
• More beneficial to life and experience
• Allows engagement for all children 
• Inclusive