MY GOODNESS, SHE'S QUITE A HAND-FULL!!!

If you're a teacher - full time or part time, curricular or co-curricular - I'm sure you would have had that one pupil who some may say is a 'challenge'. She wouldn't sit still, she wouldn't concentrate, she just wouldn't! 

I've always had a policy not to beat or hit a pupil - and I shout this to any staff I've had. But more importantly, I don't talk down or slander a pupil. Words are so powerful! Rather than tag a child stubborn, naughty, troublesome or the likes, why not say she is such a hand-full? You may call it being 'political' with the truth, but to me, it's being mild and gracious with my speech. 

Family dynamics differ, and you can never fully understand what background and history shapes every single one of your pupils. So what to focus on is how to successfully run your class without the child's actions disturbing others from learning. What I do? A few things; 

1.   Separation: This is temporary. I pull her away from others and she learns from a distance. A child that active would easily get bored and want desperately to come out of seclusion (those kinda children love attention too). Firmly inform her that she would only be allowed back if she behaves. Give her another chance. 

2.  Class Captain: Make her the head of your class. My co-curricular Ballet classes are for a period of 50mins. For that hour, she will be 'queen'! Give her the power to bring to your notice, any child that makes noise or disturbs. There, you are giving her another activity to occupy her rather than leave her with boundless energy for distraction. 

3.  Here's a sticker: Rewards, rewards, rewards! I wouldn't advise using sweets and chocolates as rewards. Rather, use colorful, character-themed stickers. They are worth it and they come real cheap. The stickers are for every other pupil who cooperates. Oh, be generous!  You ask the class to do a "courtesy" and ten out of eleven do it, give them stickers. Be so generous the child who likes to challenge your authority would feel left out. As you give out the lovely stickers, accompany them with compliments. "Anna, your plié is so beautiful, and you're so well-behaved today! Here's a lovely princess sticker for you..." Make a BIG DEAL about it and watch what reaction you get.

4.  Talk to authority: Chances are, the child who is working you up is also doing same to other teachers. When a child is known to be 'Notorious B.I.G.' school authorities wouldn't find it out of place to discipline the child on your behalf. Discipline certainly varies with schools. 

Above all these, if you feel in your heart that you need to know more about that child, take the time to TALK with her. LOVE is a universal language. 

Tamara Ajasa,

DanceMusicologyConcepts, 2017.