Children's Behavior Problems - Case Study Example

Ages 3-5 are still considered a stage wherein children do not know their strengths and weaknesses. It might be that the child is just trying to tap his or her classmate because he or she wants to play with him or her, but it turns out that that particular child, the one who tapped the other child on the shoulder, ended up pushing the other child onto the floor. Without truly understanding the situation or jumping only into the conclusion because the teacher focused on at the child being pushed onto the floor, the verdict would be that the child intentionally pushed the other child. Other cases would be that the child suddenly shouts and throw tantrums after having being refused by the other child a certain toy that he or she is holding. It can be that this is the child's behavior at home whenever he or she is denied something or it could also be that this is his or her way of getting what he or she wanted. Throwing tantrums would exasperate parents, resulting to them giving in to the child's desires. These behaviors could not immediately be considered as behavioral problems per se; but it could lead to one if the child's present way of interacting with people, including children, would not be corrected. Biting is not an abnormal behavior but it is disturbing and potentially harmful which should be discouraged from the beginning (University of Michigan Health Systems 2007). Every aggressive behavior that the child displays should be understood and one way of understanding it is through knowing the child's family background. Who is living with the child and what is the situation inside the child's family. Through knowing, the teacher will be able to understand and formulate positive ways to handle the child's feelings. In a situation when the child's father is in prison and the mother herself is in a problematic state, it could be that the child lacks parental care and attention which drives him or her in a state of anger, shame, confusion or even aggression. In addressing such behavior, the teacher should not hit or bite back at the child as a way of reprimand because this only communicates to the child that violence is a fitting way to handle emotion (University of Michigan Health Systems 2007). Assessment of children going to school with behavior issues needs an in-depth look at behavior because the cause of such behavior may be neurological, psychological, emotional, family and/or social issues (Direnfeld 2007). Whatever is the cause of the child's aggression or violence, the child should not be rewarded for biting or showing aggressive or violent behavior, "not even the reward of a negative attention (University of Michigan Health Systems 2007). The teacher's approach should always be calm and educational. The teacher must also take note of the pattern of the child's aggression including the environment that the child is in and his or her emotional state. In this way, the teacher will have a clear idea on how to address and correct the child's behavior. Children, particularly toddlers, don't digest words whenever reprimanded unlike adults and adolescents; and shouting is definitely not a way of dealing with them. A calm but firm and serious tone is more effective than a loud voice that threatens the child because it still communicates negativity. Age appropriate ways of teaching children to control themselves promotes the development of confidence and self-esteem, thus, we can easily guide them towards self-control away from any aggressive or violent behaviors. Emotional control is also one dimension that the pre-school teacher should look into. Emotion can be influenced through perception. The child should perceive things in a positive way, and one way to guide that perception is to set up a classroom environment with a 'light' and happy atmosphere, wide and friendly space with lots of colors and wholesome pretty pictures on the wall. Such set-up sends a non-verbal message of security, safety, friendliness and warmth which most children are keen at The classroom, should not look exactly like that of a primary school because it will just create fear and intimidation in the child. People with disabilities also need special care, attention and respect but they are mostly the object of other people's scrutiny and ridicule. The attitude towards people with disabilities has not changed since the last decade despite increased scientific information, policy and societal changes and the establishment of high profile events such as the Special Olympics (Special Olympics 2005). People with disabilities are not rarely portrayed but only often portrayed. There are three types of media - television, print and radio. Most magazines portray disabled people or those with disabilities as nothing more than poor and sad souls who need constant care and attention. Those who have severe disabilities are shown in their most horrid state to solicit pity or arouse curiosity. Most often than not, popular media's portrayal of people with disabilities are overly exaggerated, unrealistic and limiting; and this includes people with intellectual disabilities. Various forms of media - television and print - continue to portray them in a stereotyped, one-dimensional way. The 2003 Multinational Study of Attitudes toward Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities show that more than 80% of U.S. adults that were surveyed felt that media portrayals are hindrances to the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities (Special Olympics 2005). Characters with disabilities have not received a fair treatment in movies, short stories and even novels. In television for instance, people with disabilities are either categorized as: 1. having a superhero syndrome wherein the disabled character has no trouble adjusting to life and lives normally as if nothing has happened; or 2. a disabled person is shown as an object of pity, living her or his life in a state of self-loathing and depression. Sometimes people with disabilities are shown on television as an object of humor (Drummond 2007). Technology is a great help for people with disabilities as this enables them to have equal opportunities to participate and take a role in the community. Internet is a technology commonly used by everyone. For people with disabilities, the internet allows them to set appointments with their healthcare provider online and they are called E-patients (Government Technology 2007). Aside from making appointments fast and convenient, they can also learn more about their health condition by browsing through the internet. Technology enables people with speech impairments participate actively in school through the use of computer technology. As Sheryl Burgstahler (2006) said "by using computing technology for tasks such as reading and writing documents, communicating with others, and searching for information on the Internet, students and employees with disabilities are capable of handling a wider range of activities independently" (Burgstahler 2006). . Technology generates access to jobs, education, and training. Basically technology allowed disabled people to be active and productive. With the new types of wheel chairs, computers for the blind and hearing impaired and many others, technology has given dignity and respect back to disabled people. They are no longer a nuisance or an object of pity, humor and ridicule, but rather, they are now a part of society doing what most people do - go to work, study, go shopping and even have a good time. It has somehow put back faith in themselves and to other people. With technology, people with disabilities can live in peace and interact socially as equals. The use of technology has altered the perception of the general public, paving way for respect and acceptance towards disabled people. Bibliography Behavior problems. Your Child Home. University of Michigan Health Systems. 2007 Gary Direnfeld,MSW.Assessing and Managing School-Age Children with Behavioral Problems. daycare.com, a resource for parents & providers.2007. R.Nauert, Ph.D. and J. Grohol, Psy.D. "childhood tv linked to behavioral problems." Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. October 1, 2007. 10 January 2007. Special Olympics. "Changing Attitudes, Changing the World." Media's Portrayal of People with Intellactual disabilities. 2005. 10 January 2008. Megan Drummond. "Disabilities in the Media." The Portrayal of People with Disabilities in the Media. Suite101.com. June 10 2007. 10 January 2008. "Internet Use by People with Disabilities More Likely to Affect Treatment." News Report Government Technology's Emergency Management. Government Technology. govtech.com. 8 October 2007. 10 January 2008. Sheryl Burgstahler, PhD. "Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology."Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) University of Washington. October 17, 2006. 10 January 2008 Read More