Positive Guidance for Hard-to-Handle Kids Parenting Education for Foster Parents

Foster parents face numerous and complex challenges. Discipline may be one of the most difficult tasks in striving to positively guide a foster child. Foster children come from varied and uncertain pasts and they bring with them a unique set of challenges. This lesson will discuss some of the behaviors of hard-to-handle kids and explore some of the prevention and intervention strategies parents can use to guide their foster child's behavior.

Objectives of this Session 1.Identify hard-to-handle behaviors and temperament traits. 2.Learn positive discipline techniques for hard-to-handle behaviors. 3.Gain confidence in their role as a foster parent. Participants will...

Introduction & Opening Discussion For abused and neglected children, the nature of their experiences adversely influences the development of their brains.

# of ProblemsA FewSeveralMany Problems OccurInfrequentlyFrequentlyVery Frequent IntensityMildModerateStrong Where Problems Occur In one place More than one setting Usually in many settings Triggers Stress and new challenges but lasts less than 6 months Stress and new challenges and lasts 6 months or more Stress and new challenges lasting 6 months to 1 year. Professional Help Needed? No Not necessary, but could be helpful Yes What’s Normal? What’s Hard-to-Handle? Normal Kids Moderately Hard-to-Handle Strongly Hard-to-Handle Adapted from: "How To Handle A Hard-To-Handle Kid" by C. Drew Edwards

What's Your Child's Temperament? Low Activity Your child is laid back and calm High Activity Your child is action-oriented and on the go, even while sleeping 1 5 Low Stimulation Threshold Your child notices even small amounts of pain, sound, or light, and doesn't like crowds. High Stimulation Threshold Your child can withstand large amounts of pain, adverse weather, and difficult situations. 1 5

What's Your Child's Temperament? Low Intensity Your child's emotions are usually quite even. Your child usually displays feelings in a low-key manner High Intensity Your child's emotions are strongly expressed and tend to be exaggerated. 1 5 Positive Outlook Your child tends to be upbeat, happy, content, and positive. Negative Outlook Your child tends to complain, become upset, and see the negative side of life 1 5

What's Your Child's Temperament? Regular Your child tends to prefer a consistent daily schedule. Irregular Your child tends to prefer a more varied schedule. 1 5 Distractible Your child's attention can easily be diverted to another activity Persistent Your child has a long attention span that is not easy to break. 1 5

What's Your Child's Temperament? Adaptable Your child is outgoing, sociable, and eager to try new things. Slow to Embrace Change Your child is cautious about new situations and changes in routines. 1 5 Extroverted Your child thrives on social contact. He or she is outgoing and enjoys group activities more than playing alone. Introverted Your child is less outgoing and enjoys playing alone. 1 5

Strategies For Hard-To-Handle Behaviors Stating Expectations Time Out Positive Social Feedback and Positive Concrete Feedback Planned Ignoring Positive Practice Worse-Choice Approach Natural and Logical Consequences

Guidelines for Removing Objects or Privileges 1.Revoke a privilege 2.Don't take away an earned privilege 3.Remove a different privilege for a different infraction.

Feedback Guidelines for Different Ages Time Out years Positive Social Feedback years Positive Concrete Feedback years Planned Ignoring years Positive Practice years Worse-Choice Approach years Natural Consequences years Logical Consequences years Feedback Strategy Most Effective Age

Point System Select the behaviors you want to address. Assign values to the behaviors. Determine what rewards your child can earn. Start using the system!

Summary