How would you handle a toddler who is having a tantrum in a pre school?

Question

How would you handle a toddler who is having a tantrum in a pre school?

Answer 1

First, you have to know what the tantrum is about and be able to define it.  What does his "tantrum" look like?  Does he kick and scream, or does he throw himself on the floor and act like dead weight.  What is the cause?  Are there external agitators (tired, sick, didn't eat breakfast), what happened just before the tantrum, and what were the consequences?  

For instance, say a child throws themselves on the ground when you ask them to clean up.  Why?  Is it just because he's a brat and doesn't listen to you?  Could it be that he was really interested in what he was doing, and you just told him to clean up without any warning?  Is the room unorganized and he doesn't know where to put things away at?  Does he have difficulty following general directions, or is he okay if you give him one specific task to complete?  Looking at the why behind behavior is critical in finding ways to modify it.

Look at the environment and classroom structure.  Are there things you can change that will make it easier for the children in your class to get through the day without needing to use challenging behavior?  All behavior is communication, and it is up to us preschool teachers to figure out what the child is attempting to communicate.  Either they are trying to escape something (activity, sensory input) or they are trying to obtain something (attention, object/toy).  Figure out not only WHY they are doing the behavior, but what NEED the behavior fulfills (this is called the "function" of the behavior).  

Once you have looked at those things, think about the reinforcement the child is getting from the tantrum.  Are they receiving negative or positive reinforcement?  Does he get to go play outside everytime he interrupts circle time?  If he throws himself down when it is time to paint- could he have a sensory aversion to the paint and therefore be avoiding it?  

After you have looked at the antecedent (what happens before), the behavior (what specifically the child does during the tantrum) and the consequence (what happens after the behavior), you can make a plan to prevent the child from needing to use the behavior.  Preventing challenging behavior BEFORE it happens is the most effective way to eliminate it.  Change things you can in the classroom environment and in your methods first.  This is the only way to be effective for the child to be able to change their responses to the environment and you.  A child is like an alien from another planet... they do not come preprogrammed with all the knowledge of society when they come into this world, and they have to be taught social skills.  Just as you teach preschoolers to count to 10 and recite the ABC song, you have to model, and instruct in how to act in socially appropriate ways.  We want to do this by giving them the instruction in times when they are not under emotional stress (such as during a tantrum).  Changing the way you transition from one activity to another, the way you give warnings when things are going to change, and the way you respond to a child will change their behavior as well.  

Check out these two websites on challenging behavior.  I use both of them in my work with preschoolers that are identified as having difficult behavior.  They offer great resources for teachers on how to work with children with challenging behaviors, as well as training seminars you can do from home (for FREE) from their websites to learn more about dealing with children who exhibit difficult behavior.  They are:

CSEFEL- Center on Social Emotional Foundations:

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel

Center for Evidence based practice for children with challenging behavior:

http://challengingbehavior.fmhi.usf.edu/...

(this site includes a free printable transition tools kit with everything you need to be able to make your classroom a place for kids to grow socially)

Good luck!  Challenging kids are just that... but I bet you learn a lot!!

Answer 2

How would I handle or how should you handle ?

I would give them a slap and make them stand in the corner.

Answer 3

Whisper something in his ear.  Anything.  He will stop screaming in order to find out what you are saying.  And if that doesn't work, ignore him, or make him sit on the Naughty Step (seen on one of those Nanny programmes)

Answer 4

as long as he isn't hurting himself or anyone else, i'd ignore him but keep him in sight/sound supervision at all times.  most kids throw a fit just for the attention.  if you don't give him the attention he will give up.....eventually.  lol.  might take a few attempts but don't give up.  be sure and discuss this with the parents and the director so everyone knows what you're doing and aren't just thinking you are ignoring the child.

Answer 5

The key is to catch the situation before it is out of control.  Intervene as early as possible.  Stay close to particular children/child with whom you are concerned.  When the child begins to get frustrated, enter play yourself.  Invite that child to join you in an activity that will allow him/her to release tension (such as dancing/running).  Perhaps the child is just over-stimulated and needs a release?  Or, offer the child quiet, solitary activities.  

If the child is already throwing a tantrum, try to discern whether the child is frustrated or if he/she is trying to manipulate you.  If they are just hoping to get his/her way, you could verbally state, "This will not work.  I will not let you have this toy, no matter how you act."  Later, when the child has calmed down, discuss that tantrums are not the way to get his/her way.  If the child is frustrated (not trying to manipulate) then be emphathetic, but firm and say, "I know it's hard for you to change activities.  But it will be alright."  Later, you can work with that child to help them deal with frustrating situations.

I guess it all depends upon how old the child is...and also, what the policy is for child guidance/discipline in your preschool.

Answer 6

i can't really add to Dolphin Mama's response, It is thorough and you should vote her best answer and use her advice.

Answer 7

There is only one way.

Kung-Fu.

Answer 8

yes ignore the toddler! and... get very excited about something another child is doing very well or even an object across the room- they usually stop crying and flopping, sit up and look and some times even run over- the funniest thing i have ever seen!!!!