Needs Ideals

[Ms Wanda]

I am having behavior problems with two of my three year olds. They hit,run in class and just will not listen most of the time. I have tryed everything I know.If anyone has any ideals please let me know.ShouldI have them tested?

[PuppetMatt]

What, exactly, do you mean by you have "tried everything?"

Matt

[minimiracles]

Depends on their personalities. Are they bored? Do they want to be helpers? Do they have an acceptable way to release the pent up energy that all 3 year olds seem to have? Do you have reward/reminder system in place?

[Boxcar]

One thing that I like to do it have the consequences fit the crime. If the child is running in the classroom, he needs to retrace this steps and do it over. Tell him "Fast feet, but slow body." If he hits a friend and the friend is crying, he needs to go get the child a tissue, a hug, or an ice pack.

Threes can be a handful. They are just learning about thier feelings. They are egocentric and just acquiring the use of language to communicate wants/needs. They need help taking the role of another, remembering, and self-regulating. The nature of a three can make a teacher crazy, but there are things you can do. To help you, we need to know more about what you've already tried. Also, can you tell us about any patterns of behavior. For example, are the students more wild before snack, during Circle, or after recess?

As for testing, I suggest that first you document everything. Do ABC records, running records, incident reports, ect. Make sure that you have a good picture of what you are dealing with. Threes can be tested and you may be right that these children have special needs, but you don't want to make assumptions prematurely and without proof.

[DeniseB]

What Boxcar said about the child giving the child he/she hit a hug or a tissue that's a great idea. I've used this method in the 2 year old classroom. You need to show the child that they need to feel sorry for hurting their friends. Show them how their friend is sad because he/she hit them and that that person needs to go make it better by giving him/her a hug.