Discovering the Causes of Behavior Problems
Source: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall
Topics: Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, Behavior in School, Helping the Child with Behavior Problems
The best way to determine the cause of a child's behavior is to observe the child carefully and record your observations. Ask yourself the following types of questions as a guide toward discovering the causes of a behavior problem: (There may be several "right" answers.)
Is the environment meeting this child's needs?
- Enough movement?
- Enough privacy?
- Enough space?
- Sufficient materials?
Is the program meeting this child's needs?
- Appropriate challenge?
- Personal interest?
- Meaningful?
Are behavioral expectations appropriate for this child?
- Developmentally?
- Culturally?
- Temperamentally?
Does the child have unmet physical needs?
- Hungry?
- Tired?
Does the child have unmet emotional needs?
- Friendship?
- Trust?
- Self-esteem?
- Personal power?
- Attention?
Is this child missing some social skills?
- Perspective taking?
- Entering play?
Does this child need help with communication skills?
- "I messages"?
- Negotiation?
Is the behavior a result of inappropriate role models?
- Television?
- Admired adults?
- Admired peers?
Does this child understand why a behavior is important?
- No experience with outcomes?
- Has this child learned negative ways of getting needs met?
- Received attention for inappropriate behavior?
Excerpted From:
© 2006, Merrill, an imprint of Pearson Education Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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