demonstrate ways of supporting children and young people
TRANSCRIPT
Demonstrate ways of supporting children and young people to reviewtheir behaviour and the impact of this on others, themselves and theirenvironment
It is hugely important to remember that when you deal with inappropriate and
challenging behaviour, you must communicate to the child the reasons why the
behaviour is inappropriate, and what they are expected to do. Reprimanding them, in
isolation of this other information, is unhelpful and does not contribute to improved
long-term behaviours.
Although many of the rules that are set in school have a focus of promoting respect
and courtesy amongst children, these types of boundaries do need going over and
reiterating.
The 3-Rs of supporting children to review their own behaviour.
Some of the questions you can ask of the child following an incident or series of
incidents involving inappropriate or challenging behaviours include:
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1. How did you feel while you were [behaving in this way]?
2. How do you think [the other person, the other students, the teacher]
felt while you behaved like that?
3. What do you think was the result of what you did today?
4. What do you think other people think about you after you behave
[like this]?
5. What do you think made you want to [behave like this]?
6. What do you think might make you less likely to want to [behave
like this]?
7. What do you think the long-term consequences will be for you if
you continue to [behave this way]?
8. What do you feel is the best way forward from this point?
You may be able to think up more things to talk to them about, either at the time, or
specific to the individual.
When you discuss the situation with the child, you can also share with them
information that you have observed for yourself around their behaviour and the
things that trigger it. You can also share information that is helpful to them in terms of
support.
Restorative approaches
A restorative approach to behaviour management is effectively a paradigm shift from
assigning blame and disciplining children, to addressing unmet needs, and putting
things right for them.
Restoration has the result of strengthening relationships and ensuring that the
need for sanctions - and rewards - is generally less.
By asking the pupils involved to share what has happened, how that may have
affected and impacted on other people around them, and what they feel is the
solution to their issues, you empower the child and give them a framework to
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approach their own behaviour problems.
In order for you to be effective in this approach, you need to be able to set up some
kind of rapport with the child, and you must listen to what they have to say, using
active listening skills to ensure your correct understanding. If you remain calm and
non-judgemental, you will be able to foster a feeling of trustworthiness, and this will
enable the pupil to be honest with you.
This type of approach can be done between the child and a staff member, but it is
also used to approach bullying, where all the children involved are brought together
to talk about the situation and solve problems around it.
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