F21-Helping+Troubled+Kids

Jon Bandringa & Leslie Campbell & Chelsea Belleau & Amanda Kuiack & Melissa Hogaboam

PITA Conference - Oct. 24, 2008 Meeting the Needs of Children in Our Schools - Presented by: Stacey Kemp
 * The inspiration for this presentation was based on ``What do you do with a child like this: Inside the lives of troubled Children`` L. Tobin
 * The purpose of this presentation was to introduce teachers to L. Tobin's idea of first hour needs. With this knowledge teachers will be able to recognize needs that are not being met in their students, meet them, and by doing so remove classroom management problems.
 * Stacey briefly described her research and findings conducted in Penticton, at 3 different schools (Upper, middle, and lower socioeconomic levels) regarding troubled children and unmet needs - some of the findings have been noted, for further details contact Stacey (contact information can be found under RESOURCES)
 * **L. Tobin: "Adults are able to delay their needs. Troubled child, however, are unable to delay the fulfillment of basic needs...nothing...is more important than being reassured as early in the day as possible that he has food, friends, attention and encouragement."**
 * A __'troubled child'__ is any child causing any form of distractions or ruckus, not just students with disabilities
 * Typically, once a students needs are met, their 'inappropriate' behaviour usually disappears
 * **__NEEDS:__**
 * Acknowledgement
 * Nutrition
 * Communication
 * Socialization
 * Touch
 * Humour
 * Physical Activity
 * Structure
 * Relaxation
 * Encouragement
 * It is crucial to have a __visual schedule__ of what is going on for the day - it matters a great deal to 87% of the students in your class.
 * Understand that approximately 91% of students in your class do not have enough down time in their day-to-day routine to relax and calm down to what they deem an acceptable level.
 * According to the __students__ the following needs are most __important__:
 * Structure
 * Encouragement
 * Relaxation
 * According to __parents__, the following needs were NOT being met (either by the parents or the school):
 * Acknowledgement
 * Communication
 * Humour
 * Structure
 * Encouragement
 * According to __teachers__, the following needs were NOT being met most often:
 * Encouragement
 * Physical Activity
 * Acknowledgement
 * If a parent comes to you seeking advice, give them suggestions to the best of your ability - ensure that they understand that they are your opinions, not factual information
 * L. Tobin: "I believe there is a brief magical moment in every relationship when the right statement will change a life. On some level, everything we do with a child is preliminary to that one moment" - in other words, you never know when what you say (or do) will impact a child's life.
 * L. Tobin: "Other children seldom mind a troubled student receiving special attention or rewards. They know who is different; they know who is having a hard time. It's not surprise to them. Adults are the ones who think all children should be treated identically. That belief is an adult myth."
 * Ensure that the first interaction of the day is positive for each child.
 * Positive interactions help set students up for success - for example: if a child enters your class late, say: "I'm so happy that you're here!" - rather than "Why are you late?"
 * 4 Cases studies were walked through during the presentation. This helped the teachers use the chart and gave ideas about how to meet the needs of different children

RESOURCES:
 * "What do you do with a child like this? Inside the lives of troubled children"
 * Author: L. Tobin
 * ISBN: 0-9-938586-44-0
 * Information: This book is the basis of the presentation and is to present 62 ways to create change in the lives of troubled children. It has many quotes, for example: "The misbehaviour of children is seldom what it appears to be. Understanding this, I believe is the only place to start. No child has a need to create a life of conflict."
 * Stacey Kemp - e-mail: staceykemp@telus.net
 * Stacey created a 5 page spreadsheet to assist educators to ensure that the needs of troubled children are met. It is a wonderful resource that will be very beneficial in the years to come. For more information on it you will need to contact her directly, as this is her request (we are not permitted to post this resource).

¤The above notes (between the horizontal lines) were created by: Melissa McNenly - UBCO Student Teacher (mmcnenly@shaw.ca) Edited by Shannon Truesdell - UBCO Student Teacher ( shantrues@hotmail.com) http://www.primkidshop.com