28/11/2019
THE FOLLOWING WAS COPIED FROM AN EDUCATION BASED FACEBOOK GROUP. It speaks to management of behavioral challenges in kindergarten.
‘I usually try to have my behavior challenging students sit in the front too and there isn’t much right there they can play with. For my students that have a challenge sitting (my wrigglers and wanderers), I try fidgets. Things in my fidget arsenal include therapy putty (though not appropriate if they are sitting on carpet), slinkies, the Tangle, or any kind of stress ball.
This year, I even discovered a fidget bag which is a weighted lap size bag that has a pouch where you can put things, a window they can find different items, and numerous small ribbons attached to the sides for tactile stimulation. You can also try the “If/then” strategy. For example, “If you listen to the story, then you can (whatever your student likes to do...play with putty, play with a fidget, go for a walk, etc.” When talking with the parents, I would ask them if they notice these behaviors at home and if so what do they do to remedy them. Also if they have asked their pediatrician about these behaviors. Have them do “homework” which would be to read her a book and she has to sit and listen...not just at bedtime. They need to understand the challenges their daughter is having and be made to know that sitting and listening is a skill she will need for the rest of her life at times to be successful. Unless she is significantly younger than her peers, in which shorter attention would be developmentally appropriate, then it sounds as though she has something going on which you and the parents should be in partnership to help. Aside from story time, make sure you offer plenty of engaging opportunities throughout the day where she can be a wiggly kindergartener learning—playdough or shaving cream activities, tactile/kinesthetic/light boxes, games for leaning—and the other students will benefit too.
By Bashan.
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@ BOLCA.✔️
