Behavior, whats to know?

5 Things You Should Know

About Behavior

1. All behavior is a form of communication.
   Everybody communicates through behavior. An infant may cry when she is hungry or wet, just like an adult may yawn when he is bored at work. Adults and children are communicating something through their behavior during every moment in every day, even if they are not aware of it. A child's problematic or inappropriate behavior is a sign that he is upset and that something is not right.

2. There is always a reason for problem behavior.
   Children sometimes have trouble communicating, because they may not know the words to describe how they are feeling or what to do in a difficult situation. Thus children engage in challenging behavior to serve a purpose. That purpose may be getting someone's attention, stopping an activity, or gaining sensory pleasure -- but there is always a reason behind the behavior.

3. There can be many reasons behind one specific behavior.
   Children with challenging behavior are sending adults the message that something is not right or that their needs are not being met. There could be many reasons for a specific behavior, such as being hungry, scared, hurt, sad or angry. Some children have a particularly hard time knowing how to tell adults they are angry, so they act out in ways that get them into trouble. Other children may engage in behavior that seems destructive because they enjoy the physical sensation, for example punching things or pulling threads from clothing. Sometimes children feel unsafe or out of control, so they take inappropriate action over the things they do control, like being able to kick or hurt someone. A child who has tried several times to communicate to adults about what she needs, but whose needs remain unmet, will often use problem behavior as a way of sending a very loud message.

4. Adults can learn to understand and interpret children's challenging behavior.
   Since children often express what they need through behavior, many adults face the challenge of figuring out the meaning behind the child's behavior. All children, but especially those who display challenging behavior, need the consistency of a reliable and loving adult who will provide support and guidance, especially during difficult times. Just as it is important to find meaning in children's behavior, it is equally important for adults to be aware of the meaning in their own behavior. Children learn a lot through the messages that adults send everyday.

5. Children's challenging behavior can be reduced with support, not punishment.
   Once adults understand what children are communicating through their behavior, they can respond better. When children feel respected and have their needs met, there is no longer a reason to use challenging behavior to communicate. Yelling at or punishing a child for a behavior may stop the behavior for the moment, but it does not give the child support or provide alternate ways to act in difficult situations. When adults use punishment, they are sending the message that anger is a good way to solve problems. When adults help children find positive ways to communicate their needs to others, children learn important social and problem-solving skills that will help them throughout their life. 

How to train a child to serve Jesus

First and foremost parents need to teach by example.  Your children aren't going to go to Church on their own and it’s not enough to send them with a friend or neighbor.  As with everything, parents are the child’s first and most important teacher.  As soon as the pediatrician gives the okay for you to take your newborn to Church you need to get them there.  Going to church is a habit and the earlier you start the sooner you will begin that habit.  Not just for your child either, parents need to stay in that habit. Be sure it’s a Bible teaching church.  If it’s not you can really be confused and confuse your children. 

Modeling behavior isn't just about going to church; it’s so much more than that.  Are you showing your child Christ’s love every day?  Are they seeing you pray?   Are you making Christ like decisions?  Are you serving others?  These are all ways you can show your child what it means to be a Christian. Sunday School is another place directly available to teach children and Jesus.

What does it mean to show a child Christ’s love every day?  By helping others for no other reason than because they need help.  Jesus never took money for helping others.  Are you molding this behavior?  It’s hard, people will take advantage of your kindness.  Have someone ask you for money? Give if you can, if they come back again offer to help them sit down with their bills and help then make better use of their money.  Jesus was a teacher not a martyr.

Are your children seeing you praying? Do they hear you praying for them by name daily? Encourage them to pray about everything.  When they leave out of the house every morning you tell them you love them.  Tell them you will be praying for them today.  What an encouragement you can be for your children by praying for them.  If you know they are having a particular hard test ask what time that test is going to be so you can be praying for them at that exact time.  What a boost of confidence that is for your child. 

First and foremost parents need to teach by example.  Your children aren’t going to go to Church on their own and it’s not enough to send them with a friend or neighbor.  As with everything, parents are the child’s first and most important teacher.  As soon as the pediatrician gives the okay for you to take your newborn to Church you need to get them there.  Going to church is a habit and the earlier you start the sooner you will begin that habit.  Not just for your child either, parents need to stay in that habit. Be sure it’s a Bible teaching church.  If it’s not you can really be confused and confuse your children. 

Modeling behavior isn’t just about going to church; it’s so much more than that.  Are you showing your child Christ’s love every day?  Are they seeing you pray?   Are you making Christ like decisions?  Are you serving others?  These are all ways you can show your child what it means to be a Christian. Sunday School is another place directly available to teach children and Jesus.

What does it mean to show a child Christ’s love every day?  By helping others for no other reason than because they need help.  Jesus never took money for helping others.  Are you molding this behavior?  It’s hard, people will take advantage of your kindness.  Have someone ask you for money? Give if you can, if they come back again offer to help them sit down with their bills and help then make better use of their money.  Jesus was a teacher not a martyr.

Are your children seeing you praying? Do they hear you praying for them by name daily? Encourage them to pray about everything.  When they leave out of the house every morning you tell them you love them.  Tell them you will be praying for them today.  What an encouragement you can be for your children by praying for them.  If you know they are having a particular hard test ask what time that test is going to be so you can be praying for them at that exact time.  What a boost of confidence that is for your child.

Are you making Christ like decisions in your everyday life?  Are you cursing, drinking and going out to parties?  If you don’t think your child is watching every move you make you are mistaken.  They need to see you are living what you are teaching.  Explain why they can’t go to certain parties, why you don’t drink or curse.  Explain you are trying to live a God filled life and you don’t think God would see this as positive behavior.   

Be sure to read your Bible with them and where they can see you reading it.  They need to understand that there is instructions for our lives throughout the Bible and they only way they are going to learn what they are is by reading the Bible. 

Kids are desperate for knowledge.  Make it count.  Remember you are their example at all times.

Are you making Christ like decisions in your everyday life?  Are you cursing, drinking and going out to parties?  If you don’t think your child is watching every move you make you are mistaken.  They need to see you are living what you are teaching.  Explain why they can’t go to certain parties, why you don’t drink or curse.  Explain you are trying to live a God filled life and you don’t think God would see this as positive behavior.   

Be sure to read your Bible with them and where they can see you reading it.  They need to understand that there is instructions for our lives throughout the Bible and they only way they are going to learn what they are is by reading the Bible. 

Kids are desperate for knowledge.  Make it count.  Remember you are their example at all times.

What educational benefit is a pet in the classroom?

Pets bring so many new ways to learn in the classroom.  Teachers can use these lessons for so many things and subject matters the list is endless.  You can use having the animals to enhance so many areas of education.

Make a care plan with your students.

Who is going to care for the animal? What a great way to teach them to take turns? Each child will have a chance to be responsible for feeding and caring for the animal even cleaning the pets “home” should be a shared responsibility.

Who is going to name the pet? What a great way to teach them how to vote and that their vote actually makes a difference.

Ideas to use in the classroom:

Math-how much does the animal weigh, how long is the animal, how much is it going to cost to feed the animal, use a measuring cup for the food and water.  The options are endless.

Science-learning how to take care of the pet, what kind of habitat the pet needs, what types of food is best, what part of the world did this animal originate from? Allow your students to help by bringing in things for the habitat.  Let each student pick something they would like to contribute to the pet and that will help them understand what all it takes to take care of an animal.

English/Language Arts-What words would the children use to describe the classroom pet? They can do journal entries daily to use their spelling and grammar skills. Each day pick another subject about the animal they can write about. Use some of the words for spelling test or vocabulary.  There are so many ways that can enhance all of the subjects.

Children can learn social skills by taking turns caring for the animal.  They learn compassion and empathy.  Animals in the classroom also have a calming effect on classroom behavior.  They reduce aggression and encourage spontaneous communication between students and teachers. Its been documented that even children with special needs do much better with pets what better way to help a child who is frustrated to hold a fuzzy animal?  Not that you looking to add a special needs dog to your classroom or anything but snuggling with a hamster can still have the same kind of calming effect on the child. 

Be sure to check with parents before choosing a pet for the classroom.  The last thing you want is a child who is allergic to a pet that you have chosen.

Have fun with your new pet and you will be surprised how well your children will love and care for this animal. 

Where do I start by getting my child into College?

1.  First if you are reading this and your child is already a senior you are way behind.  But that’s okay because we are going to talk about things you can do and I'm going to give you some helpful resources. 

2.  Does your child want to go to college, technical school or straight into the working field?  This is the first thing you and your child need to decide on.

3.  Okay, so your child wants to go to college.  Have they signed up to take the SAT or ACT? Here is a brief description for you regarding what the differences are.  What is the difference between the ACT and SAT?

The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.

The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test.

The College Board introduced a new version of the SAT in 2005, with a mandatory writing test. ACT continues to offer its well-established test, plus an optional writing test. You take the ACT Writing Test only if required by the college(s) you're applying to.

The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing.

The ACT has an Interest Inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career options. http://www.actstudent.org/faq/actsat.html  

4.  If your child wants to take the SAT you can go to www.collegeboard.com  for tons of information.  Not just on sat but college preparation as well as other information.

Check back with me and let me know how you’re doing with these resources.  I would love your comments and feedback to help other parents.