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Preschool with Challenging Beh

5 year old preschooler who requires attention all day by the teacher and staff

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What to do with a preschooler with Challenging Behavior

I have a very handsome young child in my class who is about to drive us to quit.  I have my degree in early childhood ed, spec. needs and thought I could deal with rude and foul mouth children - well, that's not the case.  I have two aides and 19 children in my class.  My little guy requires 1 on 1 attention constantly.  As long as he gets attention from any of the adults he is fine.  However, the other children want our attention too.  I have a well balanced, structured environment.  We have plenty of time for free play and I do alot of small group instruction too.  Small groups he is okay most of the time.  He listens when he wants, but for the most part he is manageable.  However, during free play that's another story.  He enjoys puzzles and games and we take the time to play with him.  We even include other children to play with him.  However, if left to play 1 on 1 with another child all hell breaks loose. The other children do not want to be near him, don't want to play with him because he will destroy what they are doing, or he will shove them, hit them, whatever it takes to get attention from the adults.  Time out doesn't work.  We have redirected more than we can count.  His mother and father are not in the picture, so can't ask them to help.  Where he is staying he is uncontrollable too, so they are in the same boat we are.  At times he can be very sweet, other times I wish he was my own.  I refuse to give up!

I have read about dealing with these types of children, and have tried as much as possible in the time alotted.  However, I'm out of ideas.  So, any help of things that HAVE been done in the class and have worked, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for your time.

Posted: Friday, February 08, 2008 5:27 PM by c_cbm704
Comments

Sarah said:

I had a child like this at my daycare. He was eventually diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder. Your student sounds like he has RAD. A tough disorder to work with when it sounds like the child has been bounced to different homes. I would really see if you can get this child any special therapy services.

One thing that worked for us was giving the student "special tasks" (such as, Can you please put that puzzle together for me? I would really like to see it finished but I can't put it together. Maybe you can get your friends to help you.) It may make him feel like he is receiving direct attention. Praise statement are an excellent way of making the student feel like they are receiving attention as well.

Best of Luck!

# February 8, 2008 9:33 PM

c_cbm704 said:

I sincerely appreciate your help I had never thought of RAD.

I have given him specific jobs that he is very good doing.  He can put a puzzle together in no time flat, up to 48 pieces.  As a matter of fact, I will ask him to help other children when they need it. But instead of helping them, he will just take over and I must intervene.  The boy is smart.  He knows his alphabet, recognizes and counts to 20.  I've purchased games that I know he would be interested in, which he is, he just has a problem playing with the other children and wants to constantly play with the adults.  If he doesn't get his way, he will either destroy something or shout out some obsenities - basically he has told me that he speaks that way to his mom and she doesn't care!!!!

I'm going to do some homeword on RAD - that was great input from you.  I truly appreciate it.

Thanks

# February 10, 2008 8:22 AM
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