Teacher’s job is a stressful one. It can be even more stressful if you have an aggressive pupil. Aggression in children can appear in many forms. The child could throw temper tantrums, bite other children or even hit people. This is not a new problem; teachers have been dealing with their children’s aggressive behavior for centuries. Managing aggressive behavior is possible. It might take a bit of patience, but it is doable if a number of basic suggestions are conducted.
As generated from other teachers advices and my personal experiences, the following are hereby suggested:
- Respond to the problems immediately. When a child acts out in an aggressive manner, do not wait to deal with to deal with the situation. If you wait to deal with it, the child will think that the aggressive behavior is appropriate behavior.
- Remain calm. Respond to aggressive behavior in a calm manner. Responding to the situation in a frantic tone of voice will only exacerbate the situation. Speak with a calm tone of voice, and do not shout at the child.
- Ask the child especially why she is acting out. Have the child communicate to you in words what the problem is, and why he is responding the way he is.
- Be consistent in your discipline. Respond to child’s aggressive behavior in the same manner every time – responding to the behavior differently each time it occurs can confuse the child. If you respond in a certain manner one time and in a different manner the next, the child may think it’s acceptable to act out sometimes.
- Praise the child when she acts in acceptable manner. Dealing with a child’s aggressive behavior doesn’t always have to be a negative experience. Let the child know be a negative experience. Let the child know when she has done something right.
The last option would be meeting up with the guardian if the child continues his aggressiveness. As teachers, before we proceed to an action, we must be sure that what we are about to do will properly help the child correct his undesirable behavior.
By: Elfren Jessie D. Gamueda Jr. | Teacher I | Payangan Elementary School | Dinalupihan, Bataan
