Dealing with rotten kids? Me too !?

Question

I am an easy going person and learned that kids will not listen when you are the "fun" person. So I started over fresh in a new room with an assistant that is super strict with a well behaved room and I try to present myself the same way and the 3 hardest kids to deal with are giving me a hard time even when i stay consistent and try to sound mean. My co worker just speaks and they listen. I have been searching for other jobs but until then....

Answer 1

i agree with daffodil

Answer 2

You don't have to sound or be mean to get them to respect you. You just have to be consistent. Let them know what you expect (what the rules are) and follow through with the consequences - you need to already have consequences set up for each infracton.  If the three tough kids are giving you a hard time when you're consistent, that's normal. When you first start to toughen up, kids will whine, complain, and try to otherwise manipulate you to ease up. Just maintain an air of nonchalance and carry on with the consequence. They will soon learn that their tactics will not work and that it will behoove them to follow your rules. Good luck :)

Answer 3

I would not go searching for another job...you are precisely in this situation because it is an opportunity to master a skill, and not teaching, but in controlling a group of kids. I would not try to change who you are, be fun, and give positive reinforcement in the form of reward to the kids when they are responding. When they are not, divert attention and get things moving in another way. If you can learn from your co-worker then great, but l suggest you be yourself, and stick with it. Soon you will find your own stride. Remember the "trouble-makers" are those who are seeking attention and probably not getting it at home, or in a positive way, so they have learnt to be disruptive because it works...remember how you were growing up. Now take you skill and creativity and make them get lots of attention to excell and use their particular talents to make the classes you teach the stuff of legends...you are their parent, mentor, teacher, and inspirer...if you believe in them , they will believe in you...they need you, more than you can imagine.

Answer 4

You need to show them who's boss!

If they disobey a rule, punish them.

Tell them that they have consequences etc.

They will soon get the fact that you will not deal with silliness etc and stop all the bullsh*t haha :)

good luck.