How do you handle temper tantrums in a kindergarten classroom?

Question

I have 21 kindergarteners in my class. One has tantrums when he is corrected. I use visual cues to correct him so that the whole class is not disrupted when I need to correct his behavior but he runs way down the hall if he is corrected which means I have to either leave my class or run after him. I guess he thinks that I will stop correcting him if he yells at me and runs away but not so. Mom is very easygoing and is not really helpful. I am open to suggestions. He is an only child and most likely gets his way at home.

Answer 1

Firstly, 21 kindergarten children on your own is too much! Are you sure this ratio is permissible??

When he screams and runs down the hall, he gets your attention all to himself, right?  One way around that is to 'catch him being good'... give him attention and praise when he is behaving appropriately - this is the right time to talk to him, make eye contact with him, smile at him etc.  IF POSSIBLE, and if its safe - try to ignore the tantrums and let him come back when he's ready.  His curiousity will get the better of him in the end.  If Mom is too easygoing, perhaps shes not setting boundaries at home - can you talk to her about the importance of this, and how you can both work out a strategy to deal with this kind of behaviour?

Answer 2

You need to refer this child for a special education evaluation immediately.  He could very easily be developmentally delayed or emotionally disturbed.  

Could you imagine if he did this next year?   Mom needs to wake up and see what her lax style of parent may bring.  

Mom also needs to start picking him up when he does behave like this... courtesy of a suspension.  He's really too old to run away without serious consequences.

Answer 3

Well, though I am young I have dealt with problematic children before. My suggestion to temper tantrums is to pull him aside when he throws them and to console him, without giving in, for when a child is young most psychological things such as tantrums are a way of testing what they can get away with. Be firm, but be understanding, and try compromising, so as not to really correct him but instead teach. If the problem persists after patient encounters, try calling in parents or close relatives, or even asking fellow kindergarten teachers for tips. Hope I helped, good luck.

Answer 4

21 kids is amazing, for one thing.

I've had some success with making the 'challenging one' my 'helper'. Tighter control, with immediate feedback - and an opportunity to let that child feel they have some "control" in a constructive way, rather than having to disrupt everything to get control of the situation.

Nurturing him into a more 'helper/leadership" position may pick up on self esteem issues - sometimes kids like this blossom with some BOUNDARIES and an opportunity for earned positive reinforcement.

good luck; been there, done that, and you deserve a medal!!!

Answer 5

red square green square

This has to have parent cooperation. If he goes through the morning without a tantrum, he gets a green square, if he throws one tantrum, he gets a red square.  He takes this home - red squares are ignored, green squares are saved and when he gets 3 squares, he gets a prize - the prize is up to his parents.  They also talk about how many squares he needs to earn before he can get a prize.  The first time might be just one square, the next time, he needs to go three days.  He can build up to a big prize later when he's doing better. This game has never failed me - as long as you have parent cooperation.  Good luck to you.

Answer 6

Get the parents don't giver yourself a headache for somebody else kids just playing.  but for real you can talk to the kid you having a problem with sometimes they don't tell their parents what wrong with them so some kids act out with tantrums,

Answer 7

No one asked how old the child is so I will.  Is he closer to 4 or 6? Is your program all day or half day?  Do you notice if he is more unhappy in the morning or afternoon?  Sometimes there are underlying causes why parents and/or children act like they do.  As a special education teacher I have learned this.  Maybe you have a school psychiatrist that can help.