Embedded Files
A Note from the Team
When a strong core social-emotional system of instruction is in place, most children are able to function independently, which allows staff more time to build positive relationships and enjoy their interactions with children. Even with strong supports, some children will continue to display challenging behaviors. These behaviors often emerge as children grow, develop new skills, seek independence, or experience frustration when they are unable to communicate their needs effectively.
This module is designed to strengthen your ability to analyze behavior and respond intentionally. It focuses on identifying early signs of difficulty, providing additional time and support for strategies, and intervening proactively before behaviors escalate. The goal is to help educators understand, prevent, and effectively respond to persistent and challenging behaviors across all early childhood ages.
~The ECSE Team
Step 1: Reading Assignment
Download the presentation. Open the slides. Click the tab that says "Open With" and click Google Slides. Print the slides with speaker notes. Review the material, including videos. Jot down any questions you may have to discuss with your coach or team.
Pay special attention to the video analysis pieces. Determining the function of behavior is key!
IT_Mod8_Handout_1.pdfResponding to Challenges PP.pptxStep 2: Watch the Video and Take Notes
In this video you will observe how caregiver handle the behavior situation. Notice and take notes of how the caregiver handle the situation.
Media Challenging Behavior.mp4Step 3: Review the Handout
Step 3: Review the Handout
Please review the handout. Observe and collect information of different ways that you can intervene when behaviors appear.
Recommended Practices supporting infants-toddlers.pdfStep 4: Work your Plan
Step 4: Work your Plan
Pay attention to your classroom. How many children are struggling? If all previous modules and components are in place and solid, there should be few. Fidelity is the key to success.
If there are still some behaviors, consider taking some data on these children. You could enlist the assistance of your coach to assist with this. There are many forms that you could use. To the right, you will find a couple to consider.
For a specific child and behavior, you will need to determine:
Antecedent = What happened immediately before the behavior?
Behavior = What specific behavior is the child exhibiting?
Consequence = What happens immediately after the behavior that is enforcing it (positively or negatively)?
What is the frequency, duration and time of each behavior occurrence?
Who is present when the behavior occurs? Here you will find a few tools that caregivers use to identify challenging behaviors.
IT_Mod8_Handout_4.pdfIT_Mod8_Handout_5.pdfStep 5: Analyze Your Data
Enlist your partner or team to consider the data. Ask yourselves questions like:
How long has the behavior been occurring?
Has there been a sudden change or disruption in the child's life?
What is the intensity level of the behavior?
What is the frequency of the behavior?
Is the behavior dangerous to the child or others?
Is the behavior happening at a certain time of the day/week?
Is the behavior happening when a certain person is present or in a certain location in the room/building?
Has intervening (redirecting, etc.) prevented the behavior from occurring?
What does the function of the behavior appear to be?
Step 6: Choose a Strategy to Try
Consider the suggestions from the slide. Determine when the intervention needs to occur to best prevent the behavior if that is possible. Determine how to implement the strategy in class.
Step 7: Implement the Strategy WITH FIDELITY
It is very important to implement the strategy exactly as it is planned each and every time the behavior occurs. A difference in your approach or response will indicate to a child that this expectation may have variability. You must be consistent, consistent, consistent. This will not be easy at first.
Step 8: Video yourself in Action
Step 8: Video yourself in Action
Step 9: Have Patience
Changes in behavior take time. Behaviors that have formed over weeks, months, and even years will not be changed in a matter of hours or days. It may actually intensify briefly before decreasing. Hold the course. Be patient and trust the process. Collect accurate data to determine if there are changes in the behavior.
Step 10: Use the Observation Checklist and Reflection Tool
Step 10: Use the Observation Checklist and Reflection Tool
Use this checklist and self-reflection tool to reflect on what you are doing well and identify areas where you may need additional support when addressing children’s behavior.
Reflection Tool - Challenging Behavior.docxFull Challenging Behavior Checklist.pdfStep 11: Share and Discuss
Step 11: Share and Discuss
Share your video and checklist with your coach. Have them watch and score as well. Discuss what you both see, and where you might go next.
Step 12: Complete the Challenging Behavior Assessment
Step 12: Complete the Challenging Behavior Assessment
Once you and your coach have documented your successful completion of the checklist, complete and submit the assessment to log completion of this practice module. You may scan or click to complete.
Family Connections
Family Connections
Challenging behavior can take on MANY forms. Having the resources to directly support parents in a behavior can forge that great family relationship that educators crave. Please click on the button to the right to access family connections for some of the most common behavior concerns.
Make the Most of Play.pdfEnglish
English
Make the Most of Play Spanish.pdfSpanish
Spanish
Making Life Easier - Running Errands.pdfEnglish
English
Making Life Easier - Running Errands Spanish.pdfSpanish
Spanish
Implementation Resources
Challenging Behaviors.pdfChildren with Trauma.pdfPEP_Tips-responding-challenging-behavior.pdfTalking with Families about Problem Behavior Do's and Don'tsReframing Behavior.pdfIT_Mod8_Handout_6.pdfPromoting Social Behavior of Young children in group settings.pdfResource Collection.pdfPreventing Suspension and Expulsion
IssueBrief_promoting-outcomes-IDEA.pdfPromoting Outcomes of Children Served Under IDEA
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse