The main objective of the teacher is to reduce the tension of the situation. Typical adult misconducts that increase tension and aggression are:
– raising your voice, changing the tone to threatening; scream, indignation;
– demonstration of power (“I am the teacher here”, “It will be as I say it will be”);
– sarcasm, ridicule and mimicking;
– negative comments about the child, relatives or friends;
– use of physical strength;
– involvement of strangers into the conflict;
– punishment or threats of punishment.
It is very difficult for a child to admit that they are wrong and defeated. The worst thing for them is public condemnation and negative comment. To maintain a positive reputation, it is advisable to:
– minimize the child’s guilt in public (“You don’t feel well”, “You didn’t want to offend him”), but show the truth in a face-to-face conversation;
– do not demand complete submission, let the child fulfill your demand in their own way;
– offer the child / adolescent a compromise, an agreement with mutual concessions.
In cases when the aggression of children is not dangerous and understandable, the following positive strategies can be used:
– complete ignoring the reactions of the child / adolescent is a very powerful way to stop unwanted behavior;
– expression of understanding of the child’s feelings (“Of course, you are offended …”);
– switching attention to some activity or assignment (“Help me, please, distribute notebooks”);
– positive designation of the child’s behavior (“You are angry because you are most likely tired”).
Since aggression is natural for people, an adequate and harmless aggressive reaction often does not require outside intervention. Children often use aggression just to draw attention. If the child shows anger within acceptable limits and for understandable reasons, you need to allow them to react, listen to them carefully and turn their attention to something else.