Aggressive Behavior

When a student's behavior escalates into kicking, hitting, throwing things, undressing, running away, or biting, it's easy to freeze or overreact. Calling the parents may be necessary; it often depends on the situation. Planning helps, but once the situation escalates, focus on protecting everyone while staying a cool-cat. Once it's resolved, the important work of reconciling and recapping begins.

-Remove known triggers from the area.

-Teach the differences between tantrums and meltdowns and how to react to each. 

-Train how to get out of holds and grabs. 

-Assign volunteers to guard exits, stairs, and fire alarms.

-Create and practice a plan to find a lost child.

-Have children who undress wear items difficult to remove, like one-piece garments.

-Practice how to block and guide without touching.

-Separate an aggressive student from others.
-Place distance between you and the student.
-Stand near an exit or just outside the room where you can still observe.  
-Tie back your hair, remove accessories that can be grabbed, cover exposed arms, or use Kevlar sleeves.
-Remove items that may be thrown or used to poke; remove shoes from kickers.

-Have someone else try something different. 

-Continue to let the student know you care and want to help. 

-Ask the student what would make them happy again.  

-Let them hear you pray.

-Be calm and compassionate; try silence, especially when talking seems to make things worse. 

-Make sure the parents know their child is still loved and welcome to return.

-Review the situation with the volunteers involved to calm concerns and offer ways to support them as they continue serving.  

-Report the incident in accordance with your church's policies, recap the situation with your team, and plan to prevent recurrence.