Misbehaviour

I believe children misbehave for various reasons.  It can be due to:   Behavioural and/or psychological disorders/challenges, neglect at home and/or violence, boredom, confusion and discouraged about their school work, lack of confidence, low self esteem, need for independence and autonomy, lack of social skills.  They may not feel safe or have a sense of belonging.  Changes in routines can affect some students and create anxiety.  Students may be seeking attention, why?  Children must know that even if they misbehave that they are welcomed back into the classroom and still a part of it after they make amends.  One teacher I have observed uses this strategy, “How are you going to make it up to him/her?”  Also, “Do you accept my apology?”  Forgiveness is a huge component and moving on.  It is important for children to be deeply involved in their lessons; the more creative and problem-solving strategies they are allowed to apply, then the more interested they will become.  This is part of social constructivism theory of learning...we need to make meaning for ourselves; how do we connect to the material being taught?  If children are taught random facts, they will become uninterested and bored.  I also feel, as I mentioned last class to Mark’s question about classroom rules, that these rules should be a contract developed between teacher and students.  That creates a sense of ownership.  I witnessed a multi-age grade 1,2,3, class establish their classrooms rules in a Montessori setting.  The class was busy, interactive, rotating around various subject stations, but focused.  If a child needed some guiding back to the task at hand, it was done smoothly and effectively. 

Ultimately, I think misbehaviour is when the classroom is disrupted and other children’s learning is being affected.  The teacher has to assess (like everything else) what the situation warrants and the amount of intervention. I liked the example in the B&S text; the teacher simply didn’t take the bait when the boy made the human male anatomy remark in order to get the rise out of the teacher, and the situation was diffused quickly.  In fact, it probably added some spark to the day. 

 “If you learn why your children misbehave, it will give you new ways to try to prevent problem behaviors” ( Sheila Milnes, 2004).