Summer is here, and as most of us look forward to time away from the daily grind we dream about days without routine and schedule. The time to do the things we never have time for and, if you are like me... read those books that have been collecting on my shelf.
As educators we might be feeling 'burnt out' at the end of term and ready to close down our computers and pack-up our classrooms. We would merrily skip down the corridor and out of the front door, if only we had energy left in our batteries. But, I need us to spare a thought for those who experience negative responses in times of change. Those who struggle without structure and who need to know what is happening next.
Children with behavioural challenges are recognised as having difficulty with change and what greater change is there than the vast expanse of the... Summer Vacation? Routines, timetables and trusted environments are replaced by loose daily schedules and uncertainty, coupled with perhaps travel, new experiences, new people and the inevitable need for flexibility. This need for flexibility, to accommodate new situations can result in stress which can exacerbate the behaviour of children who do not have the necessary adaptive skills to navigate this. As the significant adults in the lives of these children we need to take time to acknowledge their need for reassurance and guidance in this period.
How can we help?... WE MUST LISTEN
If we consider behaviour as communication or behaviour as language, then we must listen. Listening to children who are exhibiting challenging behaviour shows them that we value them and recognise that they have a difficulty. This creates the opportunity for understanding to take place and through understanding we facilitate the possibility for behaviour modification.
What can we do?...
Whether at home, at school or on vacation, if we make a conscious effort to avoid judgemental reactions we can empathise and work together to affect change. Punitive responses can only serve to escalate situations and they do not allow for understanding. We must believe that the challenging behaviour is a direct reaction to a situation where the child feels unable to respond in an acceptable way. This is where the learning needs to take place and our role comes in. We need to actively guide the child in the expected behaviours and the reasons behind them. This will develop their own skills and enable them to respond effectively if a similar situation were to arise again. This growth in personal experience and learning would not result for punitive responses.
These are my own personal thoughts, please share yours...
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