Behavioral issues can be some of the most challenging aspects of working in an early learning environment. Young children are still developing important skills in communication, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. Because these skills are not fully developed and because children often spend long periods of time together each day, we tend to see a lot of big emotions and behaviors that can feel difficult to support. These challenging behaviors can test our patience and quickly become overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are a number of constructive approaches that we, as early learning professionals, can tap into in order to support young children while they are still learning to process their big emotions. In this article, we share 5 helpful resources that offer suggestions to support you when you are called upon to respond to challenging behaviors. These resources look at positive guidance, culturally appropriate responses, and ways to partner with parents to nurture the healthy social-emotional development of each child in your care.
From empathizing with the child’s emotions to talking about big feelings, this article helps early learning professionals explore the meaning behind toddlers’ challenging behaviors. and then set age-appropriate limits and expectations for toddlers. The article notes that challenging behavior is usually a sign that children are not able to figure out how to successfully express their feelings. We can help by suggesting “a different, more constructive way to handle these feelings.”
This article shares several stories of situations that will feel all too familiar to early learning professionals — stories of children acting out with aggression and expressing big, unhappy emotions. The article shares a three-step technique for setting limits, known as A.C.T., to help educators quickly and effectively respond to children’s challenging behaviors.
A—Acknowledge the feeling. (“You are very mad.”)
C—Communicate the limit. (“You may not hit other children.”)
T—Target an acceptable alternative. (“I can get you a pillow to hit.”)
This printable resource shares tips and strategies to help early learning professionals arrange physical spaces and schedule activities to prevent the types of frustrations that can sometimes lead to challenging behavior. The strategies include setting up the classroom for success, planning dynamic activities, and demonstrating for children how to engage in play. The article shares that “Challenging behavior can be very frustrating and stressful for early childhood teachers. The good news is that many challenging behaviors can be prevented when teachers use strategies that focus on preventing challenging behavior and promoting new skills as a first response.”
This article contains a list of suggestions intended for educators to share with parents. Although the tips are geared towards the parent and child relationship, the article contains several options that could easily be implemented into early learning programs, including preparing children for what comes next, having materials ready, and using music, songs, or predictable noises to signal transitions. The article explains the benefits of using preventative strategies to “reduce the likelihood that transitions will be difficult or that challenging behaviors will occur.”
Good2Know Network’s website includes a section devoted to tips & tools designed to help child care & learning providers guide little ones experiencing overwhelming feelings leading to challenging behaviors, such as biting, tantrums, and aggression. You’ll find articles with a variety of strategies for navigating challenging behaviors, including: calming activities, redirection, transitions and routines, and mindfulness.
An Introduction to Temperament 
Tips for Navigating Toddler Aggression in ECE Classrooms
