Positive Behavior Support, Episode 5: Addressing Challenging Behavior

For materials on this topic in English, Spanish, and Somali

Colorful friendship bracelets used to recognize and encourage children's prosocial behavior with peers

Season 2, Episode 5: Addressing Challenging Behavior—Guidance and Support

Home » Circle Time Magazine » Season 2: Positive Behavior Support Edition » Positive Behavior Support, Episode 5: Addressing Challenging Behavior

In the past episodes this season we’ve covered the importance of building responsive caring relationships, prevention strategies and what positive behavior support looks like as an approach to teaching, and how to teach social emotional skills to young children. Now in episode five we will look at how to know when a child needs a bit more, and what to do once you’ve determined that.

Watch now: Episode 5, Addressing Challenging Behavior: Guidance and Support!

Each Circle Time Magazine episode includes an educational video delivered in a talk show format. Join us for Episode 5 to learn more about how to observe children’s behavior and create a behavior support plan, along with individualized teaching strategies.

Download your copy: Addressing Challenging Behavior: Guidance and Support!

Circle Time Magazine Season 2, Episode 5, print version

To learn more about Positive Behavior Support (PBS) along with how to individualize teaching strategies when needed, download the print version or view the magazine online.

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Free Tips and Visual Supports

Video and Print Magazine Resources

Download these free visual supports for using in your learning environment to promote positive behavior and developmental growth.

Behavior support plan

PDF: Use this plan as a guide to think through the reason for a child’s challenging behavior and how you will help the child learn more positive ways to get their needs met.

Portable ABC Observation Cards

PDF: Use these cards to document your observations of a particular child’s behavior.

Sample Sticker Examples

PDF: Print these stickers on Avery inkjet labels, template # 22807 and pass them out when you notice children attempting to use positive strategies to calm themselves, solve problems, or be a good friend. They are a specific way to reinforce positive behavior, and if they stick long enough, a positive message to the children’s families. (Note: printer alignments can vary, if having trouble printing, a local print center can help)

Head Start Center for Inclusion: Social Stories

Webpage: Check out these free social stories about common challenges that children can struggle with, and get tips for writing your own.

Positive Behavior Support FAQ – Family Questions and Answers

Share this handout with families who want to understand what Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is and why it is a desirable approach.

Redirecting Behavior: Tips for Families

PDF: Share this tip sheet with families who want to learn new ways to redirect their children’s behavior.

Redirecting Behavior: Quick Starter for Educators

PDF: post these redirecting starter statements in your learning environment and try a few!

Dive into Books...

...with this book list to help children build social and emotional skills

Bilingual Book Recommendations:

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires (Spanish: La idea más maravillosa por Ashley Spires)
Bounce Back by Cheri J. Meiners and Elizabeth Allen
Pete the Cat: I love my White Shoes by Eric Litwin and James Dean (Spanish: Pete, el gato por Eric Litwin y James Dean)

Book Recommendations:

Hoot & Peep by Lita Judge
Socially Strong, Emotionally Secure: 50 Activities to Promote Resilience in Young Children by Nefertiti Bruce, Karen Cairone
More Creative Coping Skills for Children: Activities, Games, Stories, and Handouts to Help Children Self-Regulate by Bonnie Thomas

Helpful Resources—Episode 5: Environments that Support Positive Behavior

Go Deeper...

with this collection of additional reading on the main topics of each episode.

See more resources

Redirecting behavior: Highlight Video

Video: Watch this highlight video for an overview of strategies that can be used to redirect challenging behavior before it escalates or repeats. Check out the other training materials in this in-service suite for more ways to explore th

Teacher Time (Excerpt)

Video: Watch and listen to Gail Joseph as she demystifies problem behavior using the behavior equation.

What are children trying to tell us? Assessing the function of their behavior

PDF: Check out this brief to learn how a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) can help you understand a child’s behavior and why it is happening.

Positive Behavior Support: An Individualized approach for addressing challenging behavior

PDF: Read this brief to gain a deeper understanding of what Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is and why it works so well.

Helping Children Express Their Needs and Wants

PDF: In this brief, read about the relationship between communication and challenging behavior, and learn creative ways to facilitate children's communication skills.

Try these Learning Activities...

and improve your practice by engaging in these activities designed to help you put your knowledge into practice.

See more resources

CSEFEL Inventory of Practices for Promoting Social Emotional Competence

PDF: Use this tool to reflect on and discuss practices that promote social emotional competence in young children Based on your reflection, determine the skills you would like to target for improvement, and work with a coach or mentor to create an action plan.

Understanding Behavior: Infants and Toddlers

PDF: Use this activity to practice thinking about what a very young child’s behavior might be communicating and possible responses.

Redirecting Behavior: Developing Responses

PDF: Try this activity to practice intentional ways to redirect children’s behaviors.

Tips and ideas for making visual supports

PDF: Review these tips and ideas for making your own visual supports, then try making one to support a child who needs the individualized support.

Reflect on Bias and Behavior...

with these resources to increase your self-awareness and address unconscious biases that are likely to be impacting children in your program.

See more resources

Implicit Bias Associations Test

Webpage: Take this test to see the implicit associations you have about race, gender, and other topics. Then use the information to increase awareness of your biases and how they impact your teaching practice and set goals for confronting your biases.

English | Español

Critical Practices for Anti-Bias Education: Teacher Leadership

PDF: Engage in this self-guided professional development seminar to increase your self awareness and cultural competency, and learn what it means to speak up against and respond to prejudice and bias.

Self Reflection and Shared Reflection as Professional Tools

PDF: Use this tool as a guide to reflect on yourself, your work, and the families you serve. Strategies for engaging in shared reflection are also offered to encourage learning from different points of view.

TRANSLATION NOTE: Please be aware that there might be slight discrepancies and minor differences between the posted, printed, or electronic text in English and the corresponding Spanish translation, due to the editing and updating of the different versions.

Contact Us

Please contact us at cultiv8@uw.edu if you have questions about Circle Time Magazine. Like Cultivate Learning on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected to our latest work.

Want more of Circle Time Magazine?

We've got whole collection of episodes for you to dive into. Check out more of Positive Support Edition.

View Positive Behavior Support Episodes

Season 2, Episode 5: Addressing Challenging Behavior—Guidance and Support

Season 2, Episode 5: Addressing Challenging Behavior—Guidance and Support

Watch now: Episode 5, Addressing Challenging Behavior: Guidance and Support!

Download your copy: Addressing Challenging Behavior: Guidance and Support!

Dive into Books...

...with this book list to help children build social and emotional skills

Helpful Resources—Episode 5: Environments that Support Positive Behavior

Go Deeper...

Try these Learning Activities...

Reflect on Bias and Behavior...

Contact Us

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