Resources for classroom and home
Children in school and at home may sometimes present with behaviour that is very challenging for teachers. The reasons for this behaviour are numerous for example autism, attention deficit disorders, literacy difficulties, trauma and mental health.
Regardless of the source, these strategies are recommended as being useful in supporting your pupil or child, and maintaining a happy and safe environment at school or home.
Visual prompts for class rules
Visual Prompts are effective for all pupils and ensure that those with literacy or cognitive difficulties can follow rules.
Download the guide Visual prompts for class rules (PDF 1162KB)
Supporting children with trauma
Children who have experienced trauma, or are experiencing ongoing trauma may suffer from a wide range of problems that make their behaviour challenging and very distressing for themselves, their carers and their teachers.
Here are some practical support strategies for children coming from such backgrounds:
- Connect and develop relationships (PDF 23KB)
- Maintain structure and consistency (PDF 40KB)
- Teaching social and emotional skills (PDF 21KB)
- Use visual supports (PDF 38KB)
Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network
The Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma Loss and Grief Network (ACATLGN) is a wonderful website with Webinars and resources for parents, children and educators. ACATLGN is a network that works with a team of experts to bring together evidence-based resources and research in order to make them more accessible to those working with, or interested in, children and young people who have been affected by trauma and grief.
Dealing with challenging behaviour
- 8 Strategies to Help Avoid or Minimise Oppositional Behaviour (PDF 118KB)
- Safety Plan (DOCX 462KB)
- Taming Anger Program (PDF 1336KB)
- The DBT Self Help website has a Distress Tolerance Handout with strategies to self-calm using distress tolerance techniques.
Some structured social skills programs
Friendly Kids, Friendly Classrooms
Below are two websites that show a positive approach towards kids' education.
- Bounce Back! is an award winning positive education approach to wellbeing, resilience and social-emotional learning for primary school children.
- What's the Buzz? is a social skills enrichment program for primary school children. Include heaps of links to great programs and online resources. See particularly "Social and Emotional Learning Links", Articles (Social Skills).