We have a kindergarten student who throws tantrums and screams at the top of his lungs when spoken to. He refuses to do any activity and sits with his arms crossed and an angry look on his face. At times he throws himself in the floor and kicks and screams. He screams that he hates adults, he wants time alone, he wants his Mommy. Ignoring him does not work. Consoling, hugging, talking to, don’t work either. What are we to do with this child to stop the screaming? It is totally disrupting the class and those nearby.
Thank you,
Renee Johnson
Hmmm
A child who disrupts the learning of others must be removed somewhere else—counselor’s office, principal’s office, recovery room (thank the high heavens for the BIST model!)
You need a full-scale behavior intervention for this one, sounds to me. What behavior model are you using in your school? Do you have a recovery room or in-school suspension room? (Anywhere that the child doesn’t receive attention for this behavior until he is ready to *talk*?)
Re: tantrums
The obvious things: have you spoken with parents to learn more? I would do this first and foremost.
Next, I would enlist the assistance of whomever is trained in functional behavior analysis to get this going. You must collect data for a time span. This is followed with the creation of a behavior intervention plan. The parent really needs to be involved.
Lastly, I would submit that this is not at all normal or typical behavior at age 5. Something somewhere is very wrong. Keep you eyes peeled. We have seen and dealt with childhood bi-polar, this often manifests in rage attacks. You could also read up on this.
Re: Hmmm
I agree, Susan. Right now, this child is being allowed to “rule the roost” so to
speak with his behaviors. A total behavior intervention plan is indeed in order
with a place to remove him where he will not get attention. I worked for about
5 months with 2nd and 3rd graders(12 of them) who regularly threw temper
tantrums. As a teacher, it was the worst 5 months of my life. I finally came to
the realization that I was not cut out to haul little ones to a padded time-out
room. I went back to emotionally disturbed teenagers………I have a talent for
working with them. My admiration goes out to all who work with little ones with severe issues.
Re: tantrums
Hello,
This behavior sounds similar to that of a kindergarten student I am working with this year. While in Early K (last year), he had “screaming fits” (my term) almost daily, when it was time to do ‘stations.’ I do not know what triggered them, I was not in the room.
Historically, a very angry divorce and accusations of various types of abuse are part of the puzzle. The counselor has suggested that he may be autistic, but I doubt this because he is able to turn the communication and behavioral difficulties on and off, perhaps not “at will,” but he is in control of his behavior.
This year, we decided to be very specific about what was expected behaviorally and academically. This has proven very effective for him. For example, play time comes AFTER stations are complete. His favorite play activity involves playing with a castle and toy people. Or, he pretends to be a family member and drives the others around, or is the passenger, etc.
If he does melt down, the general ed teacher has agreed to remove the other students, so he does not have an audience. This was done once and he has been less volatile since. I can speak to him and he will briefly stop screaming to answer me and then continue screaming again.
This appears to be very manipulative behavior that he has learned over the years. Others believe him to be autistic! The play behaviors described represent a basic possession of “theory of mind” ability to me. And I do not believe one can turn the behavioral and communication deficits of autism on and off, even if not consciously.
We have had only one melt down in 8 days! Academically, he is doing much more than his ability testing indicated he could do! He is a pleasure to work with and can be delightful.
I do not have much contact with many other professional educators, particularly experienced or specialized in autism and other disabilities. Any input if appreciated. Any thoughts? Thanks, Sophia
My son used to do this. I think I have read every parenting book there is on the subject.
The best I found, clear, concise, absolutely to the point is “Backtalk.” It is about natural consequences. Children need to know what the limits are and they need to know there are consequences to their actions. It is not about punishing the child but rather about letting them know what is acceptable, what is unacceptable and letting them experience real life consequences.
It would probably require that parents and teacher work together to initiate, but I am here to say it works like a charm. Worked for many friends as well.