“I don’t want to go. What’s the point in going to Science when I don’t want to go to Science.”
Class started five minutes ago and the student is engaging in a power struggle with the para-educator trying to get her to Science class.
I was there to observe the student and give recommendations for the Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). Perfect, I was able to observe the behavior, which doesn’t always happen during observations.
It’s almost summer, challenging behaviors are on the rise, adults’ patience are dwindling, and the countdown to the last day of school has begun.
What do you do?
Sometimes, going back to the basics and reviewing what works is the answer.
At the end of the year, we are tired, our consistency starts to crack, structures get looser, students feel anxiety around transitions, routines change and our nervous systems are on overload.
When we are overwhelmed, we talk more, react faster, and try to get control of the situation. Students feel this energy too.
It happens to the best of us, we’re only human. Give yourself grace.
When this happens, we might think we need something new, stricter consequences, or a more detailed plan but what we often need is to return to the foundational strategies that have slowly drifted:
“I think these are strategies that we need to review every so often in our buildings because we can be overwhelmed and sometimes forget what we have learned in the past.”
This reflection comes from an educator that watched The Stress Free Way to Respond to Challenging Behavior. I love this idea of circling back to review what we already know!
So what should you focus on this week? Fewer words, respond early, and consistent routines.
Remember challenging behavior at the end of the year is predictable, not personal.
Return to the basics with the free 4-part mini series, The Stress Free Way to Respond to Challenging Behavior. In under 20 minutes learn why students escalate, how to stay calm, and what to do in the moment.
Click here to access the videos: https://www.kristybanks.com/calm
Thank you for reading!