All Things CLASS

I would appreciate an advice on how to help a student of mine with defiant and disruptive behavior. He is very intelligent, but has trouble sitting down without touching something or talking to the person next to him. I've notice that when I am purposely looking at him, he would give eye contact back, and stay still for a couple of minutes. However, as soon as I take my eyes off of him, he will continue to play, talk or move around.

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Melida Ortega
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I'd find some quiet fidget tools for him to keep his hands busy. In our classrooms, the therapists supply tools for the children who need something to hold and/or manipulate in order to be able to concentrate on what teachers are saying. Children who don't need them are very understanding of it with the simple explanation of 'Johnny needs something to hold to help him listen better.' Another thing I've seen them do is allow a child to stand outside of the lesson area so he can move around while he listens. I  always supply fidgets for adults in my trainings, too... most of them can't sit still for very long, either. I know I end up having to stand during long trainings,, myself.

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Dorothy Fredrick
Colorado Springs CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2020 14:45
From: Melida Ortega
Subject: Student Behavior

I would appreciate an advice on how to help a student of mine with defiant and disruptive behavior. He is very intelligent, but has trouble sitting down without touching something or talking to the person next to him. I've notice that when I am purposely looking at him, he would give eye contact back, and stay still for a couple of minutes. However, as soon as I take my eyes off of him, he will continue to play, talk or move around.

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------

Good Morning Melida,

I feel that connecting with the student is so important.  Validating that it can be hard to be still when you have extra energy is tricky and ask the student for ideas on how he can use some of that energy before coming to an activity that requires his attention.  I encourage my teachers to approach behavior in a way that is supportive of the child and allows them to learn the skills to be successful in everyday scenarios. Example "Hi Johnny, I'm noticing that your body has a lot of energy during our circle time, I'm wondering what we might do to get that energy out before it's time to sit and listen? Maybe we can do 10 jumping jacks, or stop our feet 10 times.  Would having a fidget toy help you to keep your hands busy so your eyes and brain can stay focused?"  I think including the child in the solution, helps them to know that their body has wisdom and it's okay to listen to their body and we are here to help them find a way that is acceptable to everyday situations.  This provides the life long skill of adapting to what our needs are in each situation we are in. It also takes any shame out of the behavior and allows the student to be confident in who they are!

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Amanda Naylor
Thornton CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-20-2020 13:56
From: Dorothy Fredrick
Subject: Student Behavior

I'd find some quiet fidget tools for him to keep his hands busy. In our classrooms, the therapists supply tools for the children who need something to hold and/or manipulate in order to be able to concentrate on what teachers are saying. Children who don't need them are very understanding of it with the simple explanation of 'Johnny needs something to hold to help him listen better.' Another thing I've seen them do is allow a child to stand outside of the lesson area so he can move around while he listens. I  always supply fidgets for adults in my trainings, too... most of them can't sit still for very long, either. I know I end up having to stand during long trainings,, myself.

------------------------------
Dorothy Fredrick
Colorado Springs CO

Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2020 14:45
From: Melida Ortega
Subject: Student Behavior

I would appreciate an advice on how to help a student of mine with defiant and disruptive behavior. He is very intelligent, but has trouble sitting down without touching something or talking to the person next to him. I've notice that when I am purposely looking at him, he would give eye contact back, and stay still for a couple of minutes. However, as soon as I take my eyes off of him, he will continue to play, talk or move around.

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------

Thank you, I really appreciate that.

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2020 10:17
From: Amanda Naylor
Subject: Student Behavior

Good Morning Melida,

I feel that connecting with the student is so important.  Validating that it can be hard to be still when you have extra energy is tricky and ask the student for ideas on how he can use some of that energy before coming to an activity that requires his attention.  I encourage my teachers to approach behavior in a way that is supportive of the child and allows them to learn the skills to be successful in everyday scenarios. Example "Hi Johnny, I'm noticing that your body has a lot of energy during our circle time, I'm wondering what we might do to get that energy out before it's time to sit and listen? Maybe we can do 10 jumping jacks, or stop our feet 10 times.  Would having a fidget toy help you to keep your hands busy so your eyes and brain can stay focused?"  I think including the child in the solution, helps them to know that their body has wisdom and it's okay to listen to their body and we are here to help them find a way that is acceptable to everyday situations.  This provides the life long skill of adapting to what our needs are in each situation we are in. It also takes any shame out of the behavior and allows the student to be confident in who they are!

------------------------------
Amanda Naylor
Thornton CO

Original Message:
Sent: 01-20-2020 13:56
From: Dorothy Fredrick
Subject: Student Behavior

I'd find some quiet fidget tools for him to keep his hands busy. In our classrooms, the therapists supply tools for the children who need something to hold and/or manipulate in order to be able to concentrate on what teachers are saying. Children who don't need them are very understanding of it with the simple explanation of 'Johnny needs something to hold to help him listen better.' Another thing I've seen them do is allow a child to stand outside of the lesson area so he can move around while he listens. I  always supply fidgets for adults in my trainings, too... most of them can't sit still for very long, either. I know I end up having to stand during long trainings,, myself.

------------------------------
Dorothy Fredrick
Colorado Springs CO

Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2020 14:45
From: Melida Ortega
Subject: Student Behavior

I would appreciate an advice on how to help a student of mine with defiant and disruptive behavior. He is very intelligent, but has trouble sitting down without touching something or talking to the person next to him. I've notice that when I am purposely looking at him, he would give eye contact back, and stay still for a couple of minutes. However, as soon as I take my eyes off of him, he will continue to play, talk or move around.

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------

Very helpful advice. I will definitely use in my classroom .

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Briana Wright
San Jose CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2020 10:17
From: Amanda Naylor
Subject: Student Behavior

Good Morning Melida,

I feel that connecting with the student is so important.  Validating that it can be hard to be still when you have extra energy is tricky and ask the student for ideas on how he can use some of that energy before coming to an activity that requires his attention.  I encourage my teachers to approach behavior in a way that is supportive of the child and allows them to learn the skills to be successful in everyday scenarios. Example "Hi Johnny, I'm noticing that your body has a lot of energy during our circle time, I'm wondering what we might do to get that energy out before it's time to sit and listen? Maybe we can do 10 jumping jacks, or stop our feet 10 times.  Would having a fidget toy help you to keep your hands busy so your eyes and brain can stay focused?"  I think including the child in the solution, helps them to know that their body has wisdom and it's okay to listen to their body and we are here to help them find a way that is acceptable to everyday situations.  This provides the life long skill of adapting to what our needs are in each situation we are in. It also takes any shame out of the behavior and allows the student to be confident in who they are!

------------------------------
Amanda Naylor
Thornton CO

Original Message:
Sent: 01-20-2020 13:56
From: Dorothy Fredrick
Subject: Student Behavior

I'd find some quiet fidget tools for him to keep his hands busy. In our classrooms, the therapists supply tools for the children who need something to hold and/or manipulate in order to be able to concentrate on what teachers are saying. Children who don't need them are very understanding of it with the simple explanation of 'Johnny needs something to hold to help him listen better.' Another thing I've seen them do is allow a child to stand outside of the lesson area so he can move around while he listens. I  always supply fidgets for adults in my trainings, too... most of them can't sit still for very long, either. I know I end up having to stand during long trainings,, myself.

------------------------------
Dorothy Fredrick
Colorado Springs CO

Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2020 14:45
From: Melida Ortega
Subject: Student Behavior

I would appreciate an advice on how to help a student of mine with defiant and disruptive behavior. He is very intelligent, but has trouble sitting down without touching something or talking to the person next to him. I've notice that when I am purposely looking at him, he would give eye contact back, and stay still for a couple of minutes. However, as soon as I take my eyes off of him, he will continue to play, talk or move around.

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------

Thank you!

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-20-2020 13:56
From: Dorothy Fredrick
Subject: Student Behavior

I'd find some quiet fidget tools for him to keep his hands busy. In our classrooms, the therapists supply tools for the children who need something to hold and/or manipulate in order to be able to concentrate on what teachers are saying. Children who don't need them are very understanding of it with the simple explanation of 'Johnny needs something to hold to help him listen better.' Another thing I've seen them do is allow a child to stand outside of the lesson area so he can move around while he listens. I  always supply fidgets for adults in my trainings, too... most of them can't sit still for very long, either. I know I end up having to stand during long trainings,, myself.

------------------------------
Dorothy Fredrick
Colorado Springs CO

Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2020 14:45
From: Melida Ortega
Subject: Student Behavior

I would appreciate an advice on how to help a student of mine with defiant and disruptive behavior. He is very intelligent, but has trouble sitting down without touching something or talking to the person next to him. I've notice that when I am purposely looking at him, he would give eye contact back, and stay still for a couple of minutes. However, as soon as I take my eyes off of him, he will continue to play, talk or move around.

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------

Sounds like you've received some great advice already! Challenging behaviors can be so tricky to find the cause of and a solution to. 

You may find some of the ideas shared in this webinar that @Kate Cline TS and @Anne Tapaszi did a couple of years ago helpful​​​ or this printable.

------------------------------
Liz Savage
Community Manager
Teachstone
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2020 14:45
From: Melida Ortega
Subject: Student Behavior

I would appreciate an advice on how to help a student of mine with defiant and disruptive behavior. He is very intelligent, but has trouble sitting down without touching something or talking to the person next to him. I've notice that when I am purposely looking at him, he would give eye contact back, and stay still for a couple of minutes. However, as soon as I take my eyes off of him, he will continue to play, talk or move around.

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------

Thank you!!!

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2020 17:06
From: Liz Savage
Subject: Student Behavior

Sounds like you've received some great advice already! Challenging behaviors can be so tricky to find the cause of and a solution to.

You may find some of the ideas shared in this webinar that @Kate Cline TS and @Anne Tapaszi did a couple of years ago helpful​​​ or this printable.

------------------------------
Liz Savage
Community Manager
Teachstone

Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2020 14:45
From: Melida Ortega
Subject: Student Behavior

I would appreciate an advice on how to help a student of mine with defiant and disruptive behavior. He is very intelligent, but has trouble sitting down without touching something or talking to the person next to him. I've notice that when I am purposely looking at him, he would give eye contact back, and stay still for a couple of minutes. However, as soon as I take my eyes off of him, he will continue to play, talk or move around.

------------------------------
Melida Ortega
------------------------------