Are you looking for ways to support students who cry in response to normal situations? If so, keep reading.
1. Teach the student alternative ways to express their unhappiness (e.g., talking, writing, creating, etc.).
2. Give the student a quiet space to relax when becoming upset. This is not to be used as a form of punishment but as a chance to function more successfully in their surroundings.
3. Do not criticize. On occasions where correcting the student, be honest yet compassionate. Never cause the student to feel bad about themselves.
4. Always treat the student with the utmost respect. Talk objectively at all times.
5. Do not embarrass the student by giving orders, requirements, etc., in front of other students.
6. Always find opportunities to make positive remarks about the student and school.
7. Teach the student acceptable ways to express displeasure, anger, frustration, etc.
8. Make sure you express your feelings in a socially acceptable way.
9. Let the student voice their opinion in a situation to avoid becoming angry or upset.
10. Connect with parents, agencies, or appropriate parties to tell them about the problem, identify the cause of the problem, and discuss potential solutions to the problem.
11. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.
12. Connect with the parents to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for dealing with unhappiness appropriately at school.
13. Talk with the student to explain(a) that you recognize they are unhappy and (b) appropriate ways for dealing with their unhappiness (e.g., by talking, problem-solving, etc.).
14. Take the student away from the learning experience until they can demonstrate appropriate behavior and self-control.
15. Praise the student for dealing with unhappiness appropriately based on the duration of time the student can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the amount of time required for reinforcement.
16. Praise those students in the classroom who deal with unhappiness appropriately.
17. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. • Raise your hand. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.
18. Praise the student for demonstrating appropriate behavior in response to unpleasant situations (e.g., failure, peer pressure, disappointment, losing in a competition, etc.): (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
19. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., dealing with unhappiness appropriately) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.
20. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
21. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
22. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
23. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
24. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
