09/17/2025
When challenging behaviors show up, our first instinct is often to redirect – to distract or shift a child to something else to stop the behavior quickly.
But if we only redirect, kids may never learn what to do instead. Even worse, they might learn that acting out is the fastest way to get reactions, attention, or better options.
Instead of just stopping the behavior, teach a replacement behavior that meets the same need in a more helpful way:
• Teach asking for a break instead of yelling.
• Teach raising a hand instead of interrupting.
• Teach words to express frustration instead of throwing toys.
Redirection can be a tool, but teaching is the solution.
