Oppositional Behavior – Small Steps Lead to Academic and Social Success

Children who display oppositional and negative behaviors can be an unusual challenge for any teacher and/or parent. The following strategies may help a caring adult to facilitate positive change and small steps toward academic and social success. Small steps toward positive change can make a significant difference.

• Avoid arguments and power struggles. Decide in advance that you will not engage in arguments and/or discussions regarding issues the child initiates if/when continued discussion will not be productive
• State rules and your position clearly and concisely
• Choose your battles
• Give specific limited choices. Two choices may be best, depending on the child and the expectations
• Be clear and consistent about what is nonnegotiable
• Be sure to notice and give specific positive feedback often
• Be sure that the work you give and the requests you make are reasonable and appropriate
• Help the child to learn specific ways to independently manage time and pace when/if needed
• Engage in conversation with your student at a time when he/she is not angry
• Involve the student in discussing, planning and tracking improvement on goals
• With buy-in from the child, teach social skills. Be explicit
• At a time when student is calm, help him/her to find one or more strategies to calm self before anger begins escalating
• Collaborative learning experiences should be structured and planned carefully
• Be prepared to structure learning activities so that all children included, including the oppositional child

Looking for tutors who would be a good match for your child's individual personality? Find the best solution for your family.