I guess I kind of responded to this section in the last prompt. Oops.
So thinking about this behavior as not necessarily a choice reminds me of some of the best parenting advice I got during my daughter's toddler years. The temper tantrum is not usually about wanting the blue cup instead of the green cup- it's because some other need is not being met. She is hungry or tired or overstimulated, and my job is to figure out what the need really is. The student's behavior in class isn't necessarily meant to give me a hard time, to be defiant, or whatever. It's probably because there is something else going on, and getting curious about what that is can be a productive response.
I love the example of giving each student an award to recognize his or her personal growth and effort. How observant and in-tune the teachers are who can do that! Goals.
So thinking about this behavior as not necessarily a choice reminds me of some of the best parenting advice I got during my daughter's toddler years. The temper tantrum is not usually about wanting the blue cup instead of the green cup- it's because some other need is not being met. She is hungry or tired or overstimulated, and my job is to figure out what the need really is. The student's behavior in class isn't necessarily meant to give me a hard time, to be defiant, or whatever. It's probably because there is something else going on, and getting curious about what that is can be a productive response.
I love the example of giving each student an award to recognize his or her personal growth and effort. How observant and in-tune the teachers are who can do that! Goals.