Frustrations and Meltdowns

by Margaret Berry Wilson

Are some of your students overly upset by minor setbacks? Using the practical strategies in this Responsive Classroom guide, you can teach them coping skills that will help them calm themselves and keep their learning going.

Veteran educator Margaret Berry Wilson explains concisely (in under 40 pages) what to do when children struggle to bounce back from minor disappointments. She shows you:

Why children struggle to bounce back (one reason that’s often overlooked: they simply haven’t been taught how to handle disappointment) Proactive steps for helping children build coping skills (knowing them well—their likes, dislikes, strengths—is key; so is explicitly teaching different responses to frustration) What to do in the moment when children get rattled (start by offering comfort and support; a simple “It’s going to be OK” is often enough) How to respond if a child continues struggling to handle frustration (one tip is to scaffold the new learning with, for example, regular breaks or a seat near you) Ways to talk with parents about their child’s upsets (to help parents maintain perspective, begin by first conveying the child’s positive school experiences)

Noticing other common misbehaviors? Check out all the books in this series. Each one zeroes in on a behavior—listening and attention challenges, disengagement, teasing, cliques, tattling, silliness and showing off, too much physical contact, dishonesty, or frustrations and meltdowns—with practical strategies from the Responsive Classroom approach, a research-based way of teaching associated with greater teacher effectiveness, higher student achievement, and improved school climate.

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2014