How to Manage Challenging Behaviors in Children

Try this…

Recognize behaviors as a form of communication: Child bites-he is frustrated but does not have the language to tell you
Praise positive behaviors: “I love how you are sitting in your chair with your feet on the floor”
Be direct and specific: “Put your feet on the floor”
Ignore unwanted behavior (when possible)
Clearly state expectations before behavior occurs: “When we are in the hallway I want you to walk”
Provide choices and allow child to feel in control: “Would you like to read a book first or practice your sounds?”
Follow through with what you say: “If you throw the cards on the floor again, you will not get to take a turn” *child throws cards on the floor* You can pick up the cards instead of taking a turn
Make a statement: “Say your word 3 times”
Use natural consequences: “You decided to throw all the cards on the floor, now you have to pick them up instead of taking a turn playing the game.”
Acknowledge how the child is feeling/reduce demand – “Say ____ 5 times” *child throws cards on the floor* “I see that you are frustrated and I know it is hard work practicing your sounds. After you pick up the cards lets say our word 2 times instead of 5.

Believing a child is just poorly behaved: *Child bites- results in thinking that the parents do not know how to discipline their child
Punishing negative behaviors: “Don’t put your feet on the table”
Using vague statements: “Be good” or “don’t do that”
Focusing on negative behavior and drawing attention to it
Waiting for behavior to occur, then stating expectation: *child running in the hallway “Walk!”
Not allowing child to have any input or control: “We are going to read a book and then work on our sounds” then child replies with “No! I don’t want to read a book!”
Providing empty consequences: Telling the child you are going to skip their turn or take something away if a behavior continues and not actually doing it
Asking a question: “Are you ready to say your word?” and then the child responds with “no”
Providing consequences that do not match the behavior: “You threw the cards on the floor, so you do not get a sticker today”
Eliminate the task: “You threw all the cards on the floor so you can go sit in time out” (child gets out of completing task)