Preschool Behaviour Problems: How to Handle Difficult Preschoolers

Dealing with difficult preschoolers in the classroom can be one of the most frustrating and challenging parts of a teacher’s job. But this is also when your expertise is needed the most. That is why we have created a handy guide to help you manage these children by first understanding the root cause of their behavioural problems.

What are the Common Preschool Behaviour Problems Teachers Face?

 
Teachers often have to bear the brunt of dealing with behaviour problems in preschoolers, as young children have a range of emotions to express and more or less they are unable to understand how to process them. Coping with these challenging behaviours in kids is necessary as these issues can hinder their learning or interactions with peers and other adults around them. While these tantrums may go away once kids learn how to interact in social settings, preschool teachers commonly have to be more patient when dealing with behavioural issues in kids.

Below are some common preschool behaviour problems teachers face:

• Defiance: Not willing to follow instructions.
• Tantrums: Having episodes of intense emotional outbursts, or causing disruption mid-learning session.
• Withdrawal: Refusing to eat certain food, or wear certain clothes.
• Aggression: Showing excessive anger when something does not go their way, or physically harming themselves or others by kicking, biting, fighting, or throwing objects.

What Causes Kids to Act Out in the Classroom?

 
While dealing with a preschooler’s behaviour problems in the classroom is tough, as adults we should also try to understand the reason why they are acting out.

We can effortlessly communicate our needs and discomfort to anyone we want, but it is difficult for kids to do that with their limited vocabulary and the changing environments in which they are put. Here are some of the reasons that may make a child act out in the classroom:

1. Need for Attention

   One of the most common reasons for a preschooler’s behaviour problem may be because of their need to get attention. Most kids are testing the waters when throwing tantrums. They either want to get another adult’s reaction or often do not understand how to do that, so they resort to acting out. If a child does this commonly at home, they are more likely to do it in the classroom as well.

2. Issues with Behaviour

   Kids with special needs often find it more difficult to communicate. They may find it more challenging to express themselves to others, resulting in tantrum-like behaviour. Sometimes, they may have trouble socialising with other kids, leading to frustration.

3. Unpleasant Home Environment

   Another factor that could contribute to behaviour problems in a preschooler is an unpleasant home environment. Sometimes they may be dealing with quarrelling parents, parental divorce, or the loss of a loved one. All of this could lead to anger, frustration, or fighting in the classroom.

4. Absence of a Routine

   The absence of a routine in which they can timely eat and sleep leaves them tired and sometimes even hungry, leading to more tantrums as they are not able to process their own feelings.

5. Curiosity

   While curiosity is a sign of a healthy child, it may lead to trouble in the classroom. Kids are likely to be curious about everything going on around them, especially when they are in preschool and exposed to new environments. They may get up in the middle of the class to get the object that got their attention without thinking about the consequences.

6. Boredom

   Sometimes, a child may understand the lesson but feel too bored to pay attention. This could lead to the preschooler’s behavioural issues in the classroom. Alternatively, they might struggle to understand the material, causing them to become distracted.

7. Learned Behaviour

   Kids tend to pick up behaviours from the people they spend the most time with. They are like little sponges, soaking in everything they see and hear. If they are constantly exposed to negative reactions, like yelling, aggression, or destructive actions, they are likely to imitate those behaviours and carry them into school. It is not that they intentionally want to act out, but they learn by example, mirroring what they observe in their surroundings.

   Introducing anger management strategies early can help children regulate their emotions. Simple techniques like deep breathing, counting to ten, and using words to express feelings foster healthier responses.

8. Expressing Their Feelings

   Preschoolers do not always have the words to express how they are feeling, so they often show it through their actions instead. If a child is upset, frustrated, or sad about something that happened at home, they might struggle to talk about it with an adult. Instead, their emotions come out in their behaviour, whether that is acting out, throwing a tantrum, or being extra clingy.

9. Challenges in Learning

   Another reason why a preschooler may have behaviour problems in the classroom may also be because they might be dealing with an undiagnosed learning disorder. It is frustrating for the child to see everyone their age doing good in academics while they are not able to. This may lead to unwanted ways of showing frustration.

   If you spot a kid in your class dealing with signs of a learning disorder, like difficulty in concentrating, unable to follow directions, or not being able to complete their homework, it is best to inform their parents so that the child can be treated early.

10. Undiagnosed Sensory Issue

    Some children struggle with undiagnosed sensory challenges, such as sensory processing disorder (SPD). For example, kids may find everyday sights and sounds overwhelming. Something as small as an itchy clothing tag or the squeak of a chair can feel unbearable, sometimes leading to full-blown meltdowns.

    When a child has SPD, their brain has trouble processing sensory input, which can make the world feel chaotic and overwhelming. As a result, they may react with anxiety, aggression, or difficulty focusing, not because they are misbehaving, but because they are struggling to cope with their environment.

How to Deal with Difficult Preschoolers in the Classroom?

 
Dealing with behaviour problems in preschoolers is something teachers might find themselves in more often than they want to. Patience is the key to getting through such situations. Here are some strategies on how to deal with difficult preschoolers in the classroom:

1. Be Clear with Your Instructions

   Preschoolers understand simple language. Hence, keep your instructions simple to follow, and be clear about what is acceptable and what is not to avoid confusion.

2. Remove the Child from the Setting

   Dealing with difficult preschoolers in the classroom is not just frustrating for you, it even takes away from other kids’ learning moments. Hence, when a kid is acting out in the classroom, try to redirect them into doing another activity or take them away from the area while continuing to supervise them so they do not feel neglected. This helps in controlling the child’s behaviour and even prevents it from escalating any further.

3. Try to Read Between the Lines

   Not all kids who throw tantrums in the classroom are craving attention or just doing it for the fun of it. Sometimes there might be other reasons that may cause the preschooler to show behavioural problems in the classroom. This may include something happening at their home, an undiagnosed behaviour issue, a learning difficulty, or their inability to communicate efficiently. Hence, be calm and try to get to the root of the cause.

4. Show Them Other Ways to React

   A child is left to deal with emotions not knowing what to do with them. Hence, they may act out in ways that are not convenient for anyone around them. Take this as a teaching opportunity to show the child better ways to process their emotions.

   For example, if a child wants to read a book and snatches it from another kid, show them how asking for their permission is more important. This way they learn how to express their emotions in a healthier way, which not only helps them navigate social situations but also reduces the chances of repeating the same behaviour.

5. Make Them Understand the Consequences of Their Behaviour

   Children often do not realise that their actions have consequences. Their tantrums also have negative consequences on not only themselves but also on the classroom and other kids around. Help them understand how their behaviour affects others so they think twice before acting out.

6. Shift the Negatives into Positives

   It is natural to want to respond sternly when a preschooler shows behaviour problems in the classroom. But meeting negativity with more negativity can create a tense and unhealthy environment. Instead, try using positive language to guide them toward better behaviour.

   For example, Let’s say a child is running inside the classroom when they shouldn’t be. Instead of saying, “Stop running!”, try a more positive approach like, “Let’s use our walking feet so everyone stays safe!” This way, you are still setting a clear expectation, but in a way that feels encouraging rather than scolding.

7. Bring Positive Reinforcements

   It is easy to ignore the positive behaviour of a child and rather focus on them when they do something negative. But as a teacher dealing with difficult preschoolers in the classroom, it is important to reward a child when they do something good to teach them that even good things can bring attention to them. So, the next time a child does something good in your class, use positive reinforcements like rewards to let them know that throwing tantrums is not the only way to get attention.

8. Give Them a Routine

   Kids work on a routine and anything that disrupts this results in them becoming frustrated. Guide the parents into setting a routine for their child by reminding the kids that waking up and going to school in the morning is a part of their day now. This can calm down their frustration of waking up and getting ready for school.

9. Make Break Time Fun and Engaging

   Preschoolers love to learn, but their little minds can only focus for so long before they need a reset. Without breaks, frustration and restlessness can start creeping in. This is why short, fun activities sprinkled throughout the day can work wonders!

   For example, try mixing things up with quick brain breaks, like playing a short game, singing a silly song, letting them get creative with a hands-on activity, or doing some simple exercises. These little pauses help recharge their energy, making it easier for them to stay engaged and excited about learning.

10. Build a Calming Down Space

    Dealing with difficult preschoolers in the classroom also means that you have to understand their needs to get appropriate behaviour from them. Preschoolers have a lot of energy and sometimes they do not know where to channel it so they resort to negative actions. Try incorporating a calming down space in the classroom where the child can head over to and divert their mind somewhere else.

    For example, tell the student to grab a colouring or reading book from the book section of the classroom to divert their attention and calm them down.

11. Stay Calm

    Patience is the one thing you do not want to lose when dealing with a preschooler’s behaviour problems in the classroom. Try to control your emotions and avoid taking the child’s behaviour personally.

Closing Thoughts

 
It is natural for a preschooler to exhibit behavioural problems. Instead of losing your temper or reacting negatively, try implementing the strategies we have outlined. This will build a positive relationship between the child and the school while teaching them how to manage their emotions in a healthier way.

At KLAY, our Foundational Development Program is designed to support preschoolers in their learning journey, helping them develop essential skills in a nurturing environment. Discover how our structured programs can positively shape your child’s early years!

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