Severe Challenging Behavior in Preschool: Is Specialized Knowledge Needed?

In my previous blog I invited early childhood teachers to: “DECIDE that you’re committed to keeping the child in your classroom and approach every interaction with the child with an “I got this” attitude, adding, “Without this nothing you try will work.”

So, let’s say you do indeed DECIDE - or already have - to step into the role of the teacher who is determined to support each and every child who exhibits challenging behavior.

…or, you want to. 

Maybe your heart is 100% in but your brain is like, “yeah,  but…”

Maybe you fear you don’t have the knowledge, skills, tools, or necessary expertise to work with certain children or certain challenging behaviors.

For example, you’re unsure how to handle “severe” behavior where a child is hurting you, hurting another adult, and/or hurting other children in your class (plus, other children’s families are upset).

Or, maybe you haven’t received training in working with children with an autism diagnosis (for example) so you feel tentative, uncertain and unqualified in that.

Fair. 100% fair!

It is challenging to work with severe behaviors that result in children and/or adults getting hurt. 

And, it can feel intimidating working with children with specific diagnoses, disabilities, and needs. 

But, what if it isn’t the case that you need specialized expertise to succeed with and support children who exhibit even severe and chronic challenging behavior? (More on this next week). 

In fact, have you ever surprised yourself in succeeding with a child who exhibits challenging behavior? 

Tell me in the comments below!