A few effective tips for teachers
Handling student tantrums is not all about the things you do during a student’s meltdown. All the things that you do before the incident can also make a difference.
You, as a teacher or a tutor, need to be tactful while dealing with classroom tantrums, in particular, because a slight mistake here, and a slight mistake there can really get the situation right out of your hands. So how can you do this in the best possible manner? The following tips can help.
What should you do to keep classroom tantrums at bay?
- Discuss “emotions” with your students
The best way to keep student tantrums at bay is to talk about feelings to students in general.
You, as a teacher, should discuss things like “why people tend to get upset in their daily life,” and others with your class at least twice a week. Implement role-playing games in your classroom so that students get the opportunity to think about the different ways of channelizing their emotions in a more positive manner.
- Know your students well
You should know your class well to keep problems (including student tantrums) at bay in the best possible manner.
Know what your students like, and what they dislike. Know what makes them happy, what makes them unhappy. Simple things like that can go a long way indeed.
- Pay particular attention to the child exhibiting a sensitive trigger point
Certain kids may exhibit a more sensitive trigger point in comparison to the rest. You need to get the vibes of these as early as possible so that you can take early actions to nip the problem in the bud itself.
Once, you are aware of these kids, in particular, pay close attention to them at the time of your lessons. Always maintain an eye contact while them to give them the notion that you are listening to them. A simple thing like that can go a long way indeed.
What should you do at the time of the tantrum?
- Protect everybody inside the classroom
Your primary responsibility should be the safety of your students. So make sure you fulfill that first, no matter what the situation becomes.
As soon as you notice a student losing control in your classroom, shift your focus to others without further ado. Ask them to stay clear of the hot-tempered student for their own safety.
Some kids may flail around wildly or even throw things during tantrums. Do make sure to keep others safe in such frantic situations (in case such situations arise without prior notice).
Prevent accidents from occurring by moving the upset child away from sharp table corners or any other hard edges. A simple step like that can really save a whole lot of hassle for tomorrow.
- Keep calm
If you lose your head in front of the child, you are going to worsen the situation beyond control. So make sure you don’t do that.
For the first few minutes, resist the urge to alleviate the situation back under your control. There’s a later time for that. If you try to go for the solution from the first minute itself, it might incite more aggressive behavior from the child.
So keep calm and wait, at least for the first few minutes. Then try to take the next step if you think things have cooled down a bit.
- Observe and give the student a personal space of his/her own
Keep on waiting while trying to make eye contact with the child in question. DO NOT say anything, in particular; it’s still not the right time for things like that.
Do nothing but observe as carefully as possible, until the student calms down and get back to his/her seat.
- Talk through the problems
When grown-ups are upset, it helps if somebody (like a friend or family) listens to their problems with rapt attention and curiosity.
The same thing is more or less applicable here.
If you think the situation has calmed down a bit, make your move. Try to stir up a conversation with the kid. It does help.
Note: Always try to be a good listener so that you can understand each and every problem of the kid in precise detail. This can really help you a lot in the long run.
Kiddie tantrums should never be seen as a part of the problem. Instead, they should be seen as a part of the solution. With proper understanding and awareness, you will definitely be able to keep these things at bay in the best possible manner. We wish you the best of luck with your endeavor.
