Are you looking for strategies to help students who cry in response to normal situations? If so, keep reading.
1. Alter their surroundings to lessen situations that cause the student to be unhappy (e.g., if the student is upset by losing in competitive learning activities, lessen the number of competitive learning activities).
2. Review concerns with the administration and seek a referral to an agency for investigation of possible abuse or neglect.
3. Attempt several groupings to ascertain the situation in which the student is most comfortable.
4. Give the student many chances for social and academic success.
5. Take time to talk with the student so the student realizes your interest in them is genuine.
6. Teach methods for dealing with problems early to prevent problems from becoming overwhelming.
7. Show the student that feelings of unhappiness are natural but that there is an appropriate duration of time for public displays of that emotion.
8. Teach the student to be happy with their best effort rather than perfection.
9. On occasions where logical consequences occur because of the student’s display of unhappiness, point them out to the student (e.g., peers prefer not to interact with him/her).
10. Give the student as many positive interactions as possible (e.g., recognize the student, call the student by name, compliment their attire, etc.).
11. Make sure that positive reinforcement is not inadvertently given for unacceptable behavior.
12. Make sure that the consequences for unacceptable behavior are consistent.
13. Urge and assist the student in joining extracurricular learning activities, clubs, etc.
14. Take the student away from the peer(s) who is causing their unhappiness.
15. Dissuade the student from engaging in those learning activities that cause their unhappiness.
16. Provide the student additional duties (e.g., chores, errands, etc.) to give them a feeling of success or accomplishment.
17. Urge the student to use problem-solving skills: (a) find the problem, (b) find goals and objectives, (c) create strategies, (d) create a plan for action, and (e) carry out the plan.
18. Identify individuals the student may contact about their unhappiness (e.g., guidance counselor, school nurse, social worker, school psychologist, etc.).
19. Organize their surroundings so the student does not have time to dwell on real or imagined problems.
20. Provide anecdotal records of the student’s behavior to check for patterns or changes in behavior.
21. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
22. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
23. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
24. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
25. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
