As childcare professionals, we have all experienced situations where children have displayed behaviour that challenges us whether that is biting, snatching toys and lashing out at others, disrupting others play or having a meltdown. Whether the child has been at your setting for some time or they are new to you, situations like this need careful consideration and management.
As the Challenging Behaviour Foundation states, “all children who are at risk of presenting behavioural challenges have the right to have their needs identified at an early stage, leading to co-ordinated early intervention, support and education”. The Early Intervention Foundation further explains that there is “extensive research and evidence that shows that early intervention can improve outcomes for children and families by targeting the circumstances that make supporting children’s development difficult”.
So, what should early years professional do when they care for children who demonstrate challenging and unwanted behaviours to ensure that children are able to flourish and thrive?
Coram PACEY’s member-exclusive Guide to understanding and managing behaviour that challenges us will support you to understand why you might be facing behaviour that you find challenging, the legal framework for supporting children with challenging behaviours, strategies and ideas to help you manage and support children and sources of external support that you may need to consider.