Morning from Hell

[Bella]

Hi all

I haven't written here in quite a while and realise that I may be as
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things that have come up on here before but I could do with some advice and a hug.

I was in a Reception class this morning. I do know the children as I take them briefly for PPA every week but only for around 20 minutes per group. I have had some difficulty with one particular child but not as bad as this before.

As soon at the bell went for them to sit on the carpet he ran into the book corner and refused to sit down when asked by the TA. I ignored his behaviour and praised the children who were sitting beautifully (I have used this before and this method was recommended the class teacher). As he got no response his behaviour worsened. He
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ted getting louder and saying silly words. Still no response from me. He then came and sat down. Yippee!! I thought but only for a few moments as he
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ted hurting those around him. I explained that hurting was unacceptable. He then refused any instruction given to him from myself or any TA. I gave him the choice of doing the really fun activity with the TA or sitting with me (again recommended by the class teacher). He chose to stay with me but
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ted disturbing the others so after reminding I took him to the other group session after repeating a new instruction of simply 'stand up' many times as he was trying to refuse even that.

Later whenever I saw him during activities or on the carpet he would refuse to follow instructions or hurt other children. He even refused when asked by the other Reception teacher but after along time would eventally follow.

I feel very disheartened by it all as I didn't even have the chance to say hello, explain why I was there and go over my rules before it all
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ted. I tried all of the strategies that I could think of and normally work. What else would you do with a child who point blank refuses to follow instructions even when given a choice and has a tendacy to hurt and run off?

I am back tomorrow afternoon for my usual PPA and I'm dreading his group as I'm sure he will continue to refuse to follow any instructions and I can see this potentially happening every week. I would like to get into a positive cycle. Please help.
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[janeb]

First of all, you definitely need some choccie
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and a hug
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Secondly, we've all had days like this so don't feel like a failure.

This boy sounds like a challenge for everyone at the school already and he was obviously having a worse day than normal!! You've tried the class teacher's strategies and played good
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and bad
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!

I would probably go in tomorrow with a very positive attitude and sweep him up in this positivity too so he doesn't have the chance to misbehave! "Hello, don't you look smart today... you're sitting so beautifully that I'll have to get you to be my special helper...etc etc" Don't let him see you getting riled as he obviously reacts to this and gets worse.

If he is hurting other children then he needs to be removed from the situation - if you haven't got a TA, then find out who is available to take him for a Time Out (the other Reception teacher?). He sounds like he needs one-to-one attention so don't feel bad that you need help with him.

Good luck and try to enjoy your day!!

[Wendy]

Very good advice from Jane (especially the chocolate and the hug!). Would a smiley face chart work? He gets a smiley face for sitting on the carpet when asked (not forever but just coming and putting his bottom there). He gets a smiley face if he listens to a short story without fidgeting too much and so on. At the end of the session/day/week he could choose an activity or toy to play with or a game that he could play in a small group. I appreciate that you do not see him for long but if the teacher is agreeable then it might make a difference. Lots of praise when he is being good and a disappointed face when he 'lets himself down'. You will get there! can you spend a little time in that class when it isn't PPA? if he sees you more frquently he may settle down more easily.

[Bella]

Thanks for your help. Today was much better for me. I was in the other Reception class but they often mix together and whenever I saw him he responded positively. Interestingly I have found out that he was just like he had been yesterday with another supply teacher previously in fact even worse. She will not come back to work in that class again. He was also like it again this afternoon with another member of staff. It now appears that he is like this with everyone and even the class teacher only has a slightly better effect. The strategies are all useful andI now have a better plan for when I take his class again.

[jennyfleur]

Good advice there from everybody who has posted. I teach Nursery, and I have had similar problems when I am actually in class, never mind when I am out. I have tried hard to get into positve behaviour routines and use 'show me green behaviour, rather than orange or red' The children show me their thumbs up for green, and I show them thumbs down for red. I also have a red, orange and green spot displayed with their pictures on. Every day they
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t on green. Can you adapt any of this for a weekly session with the child? What about giving him a special spot to sit on, like a carpet tile?

[ruby_tuesday]

You've been given lots of excellent advice, other things that haven't been mentioned yet are referring to the school behaviour policy, I would have thought that if he is hurting other children he should be removed otherwise you could end up with lots of angry parents! Also, talk to his parents, tell them that they need to come in to discuss school concerns about his behaviour, get some support from the class teacher, deputy or headteacher - they should be supporting you. Good luck.