A Unique Child: A-Z of inclusive practice - B is for Behaviour Management

'Inclusion is a process of identifying, understanding and breaking down barriers to participation and belonging' - Early Childhood Forum (2003)

Difficulties around the behaviour of individual children are a major barrier to inclusion. To be successful, providers will need to access training in behaviour management to help them develop positive behaviour management strategies and a clear policy. Staff should encourage children to communicate and make good use of praise and encouragement. They need to understand and recognise the situations that trigger difficult behaviour in children and where necessary use outside support to develop individual behaviour management plans.

Challenging behaviour is simply behaviour that presents a challenge to whoever is caring for and educating the child. It is not a condition in itself but may be a manifestation of conditions, such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Attention Hyperactive Deficit Disorder, or it may be a manifestation of an underlying emotional problem or disturbance. In many cases, what is perceived as a challenging behaviour on the part of the child is also related to factors in the environment to some degree, such as the behaviour of others towards the child.