Triggers - What Sparks Challenging Behaviors?

Shouting before snack time. Jostling and grabbing the granola bars. It drives you crazy every day, but you just can’t make the kids stop. A good tactic is to ask yourself: What’s triggering this? 

When thinking about challenging behaviors, consider why kids are engaging in the negative behavior. Is there something they are accomplishing by jostling and grabbing the granola bars that you don’t know?

Triggers can best be understood by observing and taking note of what is going on when the behavior begins. In the case of the grabby behavior, listening might reveal that there is a competition to get done fast. The faster a kid can grab and go, the quicker they get the best bat or glove. 

It also can be helpful to just ask. Ask the kids, "What’s happening? Why is everyone in such a big hurry?" Someone is bound to tell you something helpful! 

By investigating what triggers a behavior, it may be possible to prevent or at least limit the impact of the triggers so the behavior is not “set off” at all.

To learn more about how to manage triggered kids, read more this great article about how to stem triggers.