My Child's Outbursts Disrupt the Class
Ask the Experts: How can I help my chatty third-grader stay quiet in class?
Question: My third-grade daughter cannot seem to control her tongue and disrupts the entire class. She had been making improvements and then yesterday after work, I got a call from her teacher. She is stumped as to what to do next, as well. My daughter is a very good girl, but she just cannot stop talking in class.
Answer: From the brief information you share, you could be describing a child with difficulty controlling her impulsiveness. You said that she is making improvements. What I would do is take a look at what made her improve. In other words, be more purposeful in strategies to decrease her disruptive behavior.
Start by meeting with the teacher and your daughter to discuss the times of the day that she behaves appropriately. Point out the times she does control her outbursts and develop a plan to motivate her to do it more often. Set up a system to reward her for controlling her impulsiveness. Your daughter might have some ideas for rewards, but they could include running an errand for the teacher, having lunch with the teacher or passing out papers in class. Work with the teacher to gradually increase the period of time she needs to behave appropriately to earn a reward.
If your daughter knows, for example, that every two hours the teacher incorporates some discussion time into the lesson so students can discuss the topic, she'll know how to channel her chattiness. At home praise her for her any progress she is making working toward her goal.
Remember that just because she is disruptive one day does not mean she will be the next day. Let her know that each day is a new one and a chance to start over. Perhaps you can track at home how many days in a row she does well. These interventions give your daughter a chance to be involved in addressing the problem and to tell you what might make her successful.
At the same time, I would make an appointment with your daughter's pediatrician or family practice physician and share your concerns about her behavior. Have your physician rule out any physical causes. Once this has been done, if the behaviors continue, consider consulting with a social worker, psychologist or counselor for additional strategies in addressing the behavior.
Dr. Michelle Alvarez is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Indiana and project director of Safe Schools/Healthy Students for the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation. A former school social worker in Pinellas County, Florida, she is currently co-editor of School Social Work: Theory to Practice and chair of the National Association of Social Workers, School Social Work Section. She is also the parent of a special needs child.
January 2008
Answer: From the brief information you share, you could be describing a child with difficulty controlling her impulsiveness. You said that she is making improvements. What I would do is take a look at what made her improve. In other words, be more purposeful in strategies to decrease her disruptive behavior.
Start by meeting with the teacher and your daughter to discuss the times of the day that she behaves appropriately. Point out the times she does control her outbursts and develop a plan to motivate her to do it more often. Set up a system to reward her for controlling her impulsiveness. Your daughter might have some ideas for rewards, but they could include running an errand for the teacher, having lunch with the teacher or passing out papers in class. Work with the teacher to gradually increase the period of time she needs to behave appropriately to earn a reward.
If your daughter knows, for example, that every two hours the teacher incorporates some discussion time into the lesson so students can discuss the topic, she'll know how to channel her chattiness. At home praise her for her any progress she is making working toward her goal.
Remember that just because she is disruptive one day does not mean she will be the next day. Let her know that each day is a new one and a chance to start over. Perhaps you can track at home how many days in a row she does well. These interventions give your daughter a chance to be involved in addressing the problem and to tell you what might make her successful.
At the same time, I would make an appointment with your daughter's pediatrician or family practice physician and share your concerns about her behavior. Have your physician rule out any physical causes. Once this has been done, if the behaviors continue, consider consulting with a social worker, psychologist or counselor for additional strategies in addressing the behavior.
Dr. Michelle Alvarez is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Indiana and project director of Safe Schools/Healthy Students for the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation. A former school social worker in Pinellas County, Florida, she is currently co-editor of School Social Work: Theory to Practice and chair of the National Association of Social Workers, School Social Work Section. She is also the parent of a special needs child.
January 2008
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