Nursery World - Hitting out

Playworkers need to find ways to respond to a physically aggressive child that model and promote co-operative behaviour, says Andrea Clifford-Poston 'i'm rough and tough,' said nine-year-old Gemma, raising her arms in the air in a gesture both menacing and defiant.

'i'm rough and tough,' said nine-year-old Gemma, raising her arms in the air in a gesture both menacing and defiant.

'I'm rough and tough.'

'You're rough and tough,' I affirmed.

'Yep,' another dramatic gesture, this time nearer my face.

'And if you weren't rough and tough, what would you be?' I asked.

Tears sprang into Gemma's eyes, her cheeks flushed. 'Well,' she said, rubbing both her hands over her face, 'I used to like people, but nobody liked me, so now I'm rough and tough.'

'Do people like you rough and tough?'

'No, but I don't cry any more.'

Gemma had been referred to me by her worried playworkers. 'She settles everything with her fists,' said one. Gemma was indeed an aggressive child, thumping, spitting or biting whenever she felt frustrated by another child.

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