1. A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior Successful Solutions Professional Development LLC Chapter 1 Introduction to Misbehavior

2. IN ORDER TO PASS THIS TRAINING, THIS IS WHAT YOU MUST DO: PASSING THE ONLINE STARS TRAINING 3. Participate in Student Forum Discussion Board Assignments 1. Read course materials provided in the videos 2. Sufficiently complete all chapter assignments 4. Submit an evaluation form with a valid STARS ID number Traditional Washington STARS

3. A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior Chapter Topics Caregivers should respond to behaviors positively and respectfully. This module will discuss a variety of factors which may influence a child’s behavior and provide examples of appropriate ways that adults can respond to misbehavior.

4. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior Anything a child does is behavior and all behaviors are purposeful and happen for a reason. However, children are learning social skills and sometimes have misbehavior that may be destructive, inappropriate, or otherwise unacceptable. Caregivers should respond to these behaviors positively and respectfully. This course will discuss a variety of factors which may influence a child’s behavior and provide examples of appropriate ways that adults can respond to misbehavior. A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

5. Four-year-old Eric is tattling on the other children. After arriving at the center, he told the teacher that Alison had pushed him the day before. During snack time, he announced loudly that Sean did not take the muffin he touched. Later, during clean-up time, he told the teacher that Adam did not put away his puzzle. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

6. Christy does not like to take a nap during naptime. She begins crying every day after lunch as naptime approaches. Jessica, who is normally very cooperative, has been less so in the weeks following the birth of her new brother. Rather than taking turns, she has become bossy on the play yard. The teacher has also seen her hitting other children. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

7. During your career as a child care professional, you will likely have several children in your program who will have similar behavior problems as Eric, Christy, and Jessica. Many times, behavior problems will be disruptive to the program. The behavior may be harmful or it might infringe on the rights of others. Mishandling of classroom pets, equipment, and materials may also occur. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

8. Disruptive behavior often is caused by tension. Over stimulation, changes in routine, and loud noise are just a few causes of tension in children. Because children do not know how to handle tension, they often react with disruptive behavior such as pushing and disturbing other children, running, and yelling. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

9. Helping children to deal positively with tension-causing events is an important job of the teacher. You will need to understand situations and feelings that cause tension in children. Recognizing behavior patterns that result from tension is also important. Then you will need to be able to help children deal with this tension. With this information, you will be able to effectively guide and help these children. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

10. There are many causes of behavioral problems in children. These include certain situations and feelings children do not know how to handle. In addition, there are physical problems that can cause tension in children. Being aware of situations and emotions that produce tension is important. This knowledge will allow you to avoid, or at least lessen the effects of, these causes. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

11. To even begin considering the root of behavior problems and stress factors, we need to first understand the basic needs of humans. There are general types of needs (physiological, safety, love, and esteem) that must be satisfied before a person can act unselfishly. The next page will review Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. As you read over the next few pages, think about where you fall on the pyramid. What about your co-workers? And the children in your care? The dynamics of your child care program is going to be influenced by the degree in which each individual persons basic needs are met. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

12. Meeting Children’s Needs Anything a child does is behavior and that all behaviors are purposeful and happen for a reason. However, children are learning social skills and sometimes have misbehavior that may be destructive, inappropriate, or otherwise unacceptable. Caregivers should respond to these behaviors positively and respectfully. One way of understanding children’s needs is to look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

13. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Abraham Maslow is known for establishing the theory of a hierarchy of needs, writing that human beings are motivated by unsatisfied needs and that certain lower needs must be satisfied before higher needs can be achieved. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

14. Maslow studied exemplary people such as Albert Einstein, Jane Addams, and Eleanor Roosevelt. According to Maslow, there are general types of needs (physiological, safety, love, and esteem) that must be satisfied before a person can act unselfishly. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

15. Physiological Needs The base of the pyramid Physiological needs are the very basic needs people must have to survive. They are basic needs such as air, water, food, sleep, etc. When these needs are not satisfied, people experience sickness, irritation, pain, discomfort, etc. When the needs are met, people are free to move up the hierarchy. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

16. Safety Needs The second level of the pyramid Safety needs have to do with establishing stability and consistency in a chaotic world. These needs are mostly psychological in nature. We need the security of a home and family. However, if a family is dysfunctional, i.e., an abusive husband, the wife cannot move to the next level because she is constantly concerned for her safety. Love and belonging have to wait until she is no longer cringing in fear. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior Some people demand law and order because they do not feel safe enough to go for a walk in their neighborhood. Many people are stuck at this level.

17. Love Needs The third level of the pyramid Love and belonging are next on the ladder. Humans have a desire to belong to groups: clubs, work groups, religious groups, family, gangs, etc. We need to feel loved (non-sexual) and accepted by others. We need to be needed. Commercials also often show how their products make for camaraderie. When was the last time you saw a beer commercial with someone drinking beer alone? Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

18. Esteem Needs The fourth level of the pyramid There are two types of esteem needs. First is self-esteem, which results from competence or mastery of a task. Second, there is the attention and recognition that comes from others. This is similar to the belongingness level; however, wanting admiration has to do with the need for power. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

19. Self-Actualization The fifth level of the pyramid The need for self-actualization is “the desire to become more and more of what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming.” People may wish to maximize their potential. They can seek knowledge, peace, esthetic experiences, self- fulfillment, and oneness with God, etc. Note: Children and adults can move up and down on the scale depending on their life circumstances. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

20. Children need love and, like all human beings, need to know they are loved, that they are accepted and cherished for the unique people they are. This sounds simple enough, but many of the children who need love the most are the ones who get it least. It is easy for us to love and care for the child who fits our picture of how children should be (clean, neat, cooperative, bright, independent), but what about the ones who try our patience day-in and day-out -- the ones who find ways to challenge us so much it hurts? Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

21. Do we truly love them unconditionally, regardless of their behavior toward us? Are we relieved on days when they don't show up? Do these children know they are so difficult for us? You bet they do! Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

22. Your attitude encourages them to continue their inappropriate behavior since negative attention is better than no attention at all The ability to balance one’s own needs with the needs of others is a high level skill. It is possible that one skill that is more difficult is assisting children to learn it. If we are to reach all children, we must find ways of letting them know that we do love them -- no matter what. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

23. Adults frequently have the misconception that children know how to behave, and that mistaken behavior is the result of a willful decision to do “wrong”. Truthfully, the decision to act out or to defy results from the child not yet having the cognitive and/or emotional resources necessary for more appropriate responses. Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior

24. 2 Click here to launch Chapter 1 Assessment Chapter 1 Introduction to Understanding Misbehavior A Basic Approach to Understanding Misbehavior