Does anyone have suggestions on how to discipline a child that THRIVES off attention of any sort?

Question

There's a little girl in my class whose Mom is 23-years-old and already has six children. She just had a new baby in December. So naturally, the girl doesn't get much attention.

So she starts the day acting like a perfect little angel. I compliment her, ask her how her day is going, etc. But I have 17 other kids in my class, so obviously I can't focus on her all day.

As soon as she can't have my positive, undivided attention, she starts acting up in order to get my negative, undivided attention. (ie: talking, playing, rocking loudly in her chair, getting off task).

If I ignore her misbehaviors, she gets worse and worse until it's to the point where I HAVE to say something.

Taking away recess doesn't bother her because then she gets to be in the classroom w/me one-on-one which is what she wants in the first place.

Time out isn't effective because then she plays in the corner.

Answer 1

how old is this child? Is there a way to get an intergrating aide to help out? All she needs is positive reinforcement and lots of good attention, and I know it is hard for you to give it because you have an entire class of children who needs this....Find out if you can get an intergrating aide. This coulb be a key...Good luck

Answer 2

Give her the attention.

Make her your helper.

'talking playing rocking off task' does not sound like misbehaviour, it sounds like she is being a child. how old is she? is she not allowed to behave like a child?? it sounds like she is bored. give her different helping tasks to do and see how you go.

recess is not for taking away! it is exactly that, recess! you would not take away breaks from working people, would you?

don't you have a supervisor with more experience you can ask for assistance/advice? it sounds like you need it.

good luck.

Answer 3

keep ignoring her.

when she mis-behaves but her in time out.

say it calmly without looking at her, "Anna, time out now."

make time out away from the other children so she cant even see them.

after 5 mins if she is 5 or whatever, tell her without paying much attention to her that she can return.

or just completely ignore her.

she will get sick of it quickly

Answer 4

this must be really difficult for you.  the little girl sounds like she needs attention.  it seems she's not getting it at home.  have you discussed this with her mother?  is there a guidance counselor at school that she can have a one on one with....maybe a couple times a week?

Answer 5

Maybe start up a star chart for the positive behaviour

Answer 6

She's 23 and has SIX? Oh dear.

When she acts up, send her out into the hall to sit for awhile (5 or so minutes). She will be so angry that she isn't getting the attention that after awhile she will stop. If you catch her playing during timeout she has to stay after school sitting in her chair.

Answer 7

Can you send her out to the hallway?  It sounds like isolation might help, since she really wants attention.  If you can't, maybe send her to the Principal's office.

Answer 8

you should watch an episode of nanny 911 or supernanny. She specialises in this kind of thing and I've never seen her regimes fail. Good luck

Answer 9

goto a doctor

Answer 10

See if you can get her taken away from her parents because they're obviously not doing their job.

Answer 11

She sounds like a very active child and gets bored quickly when no one is paying attention to her.Think of how many siblings she has at home, I'm sure she always has constant attention and never any alone time.That's what shes used to.For controlling her attention seeking behavior you should set up a meeting with her and her parents to find out the cause of her behavior. They might be able to give you some tips.

Answer 12

First of all, since you say "my class," I'm assuming that you are either a teacher or daycare provider. I would suggest that you speak to your supervisor (principal or daycare administrator) about your options available to you. They will be able to help you determine what discipline options fall within the school/company's policies.

I think that one thing you could do would be to break up your positive attention to her throughout the day. Instead of trying to punish her, look for some ways to reward her for good behavior. Maybe you could make a star chart for her that if she is good every day for a week (a sticker on the chart for each good day), she could stay in during recess to play a board game or something with you. I would certainly check with administrators to be sure that you don't violate any policies or anything. Once you work out whatever the plan might be, I would talk to her and explain to her what you expect from her and what her reward will be for behaving correctly.

I'm not sure if you currently have students help you in passing out materials for class and other "helper" sorts of jobs, but that's also something you can do. When the day starts and you have to turn your attention to the class, pick a few "special helpers" including her and give them a "special job" hand out the new work sheets, pass out craft supplies, whatever you might need done. She'll feel special and important and it will distract her from the change in attention.

You can also try mixing up the day some with group type work where she can work with other kids. If she's working with other kids on something, she'll be getting attention from them, so she won't demand your undivided attention.

Just some thoughts. Whatever you do, be sure not to show her too much favoritism in front of the class or they may get jealous of her and treat her badly.

Answer 13

Give her special attention, her mom is obviously too busy.

Take the 'high road.'

Answer 14

Do something like the star chart.  Whoever is good all week gets to put their name in the pot to be your special little helper for the whole day. Pull a name out everyday.  Maybe that will be worth being good for a chance to do something special.  TRY to make sure you pull her name out first so she will know how fun it is to be the helper.