Guidance Problems

1. Guidance Problems Asia Silver

2. Overstimulation. • Meaning children can become overexcited by many things. • Holidays, such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day, can be overstimulating times for children. Avoid making holiday plans too early. When this happens, children may get keyed up long before even occurs. • Overstimulation can also result from having too many activities planned. When this happens, some children have a hard time making choices.

3. Breaks in Routines. • Let children know what to expect and when. • If routines are not followed, children become confused. Behavior problems can arise. • All children need consistent daily schedules. • Quiet activities need to be followed by active activities. • If children sit still too long, they may lose interest in activity and become disruptive.

4. Noise. • Noise affects children differently. • Children with very sensitive ears are particularly upset by noise. • To avoid problems caused by noise, control the volume of tapes, records, and CDs. • Also, pay attention to volume of your own voice. • In frustration, you may raise your voice and yell. It’ll become a chain reaction.

5. Waiting Time. • Children often behave poorly when they have to wait for long periods of time. • By nature, they are usually in motion. Therefore, if they are kept waiting too long for a story, they may start pushing or hitting. • This behavior is not children’s fault. • Manage your time wisely. Cut down on waiting time by being prepared.

6. Frustration. • Children feel defeated or discouraged. • In order to control frustration, carefully plan each day’s activities. • Forcing children into activities they are not prepared to join can result frustration. A better approach is to allow the children to decide what is best. • Conflict over toys can also create frustration. Therefore, make certain that several kinds of toys are available to the children at all time.

7. Negativism. • Preschool children can be negative, particularly between two and three years of age. • Children at this age are wanting to become more independent. A “no” in many cases is a child’s attempt at independence. • Accept a young child’s negative behavior. However, keep in mind all health and safety regulations.

8. Stealing. • Preschool children do not understand the difference between mine and yours. • When children under three years of age take something, they are not stealing. At this age, children do not understand the concept of stealing. • The desire for something appealing may combine with a young child’s natural impulsiveness. • Help children learn to respect the possessions of others.

9. Anger. • Greatest number of tantrums typically occur at about 18 months of age. After this age, there is a sharp decline. • By age two, children may hold their breath for as long as they can. Screaming, kicking, hitting, pounding, and hitting one’s head against a wall are other ways these children express anger. • By the time children turn three, verbal abuse is more common, while four-years-olds often engage in name-calling. • Discourage hurting behavior. Young children should not be allowed to hit each other. However, they will try. When they do, stop them immediately.

10. Biting. • Young children often bite when they are upset. This is not unusual behavior, particularly with two-year-olds. • For many of these children, biting is only a temporary problem. • They may bite because they cannot express themselves using words. • Start by keeping playtime simple for these children. Limit the number of playmates they may have at any time.

11. Tattling. • Tattling seems to occur in many classrooms and is a typical behavior for many young children. • Frequently, child who tattles is insecure and tattles to get your attention. • As a teacher, you may find tattling irritating, but you need to listen to the children. • To prevent tattling, try to build children’s self-esteem. This, in turn, will make them feel more secure.

12. Thumbsucking. • To relieve tension, some children may suck their thumbs. Studies show that almost half of all infants suck their fingers or thumb. • By 18 months, thumbsucking usually reaches its peak. Then behavior become less frequent. • Children at four or five years of age, will sometimes engage in thumbsucking if they are tired. • If you notice thumbsucking, do not pull the thumb out of the child’s mouth.

13. Fear. • By three years of age, most children have many kinds of fear. • Some fears will be real while others will be imaginary. As the child grows, real fears will be kept. Imaginary fears will be outgrown. • Common childhood fears include falling from high places, putting faces in water, thunder, the dark, people in uniforms, fire engines, ambulances, and animals. • Accept children’s fears.