ChangE YOUR LENSES
The behavior of children in care is sending a different message than you think. Hover over each box to see the hidden meaning under their words and actions.
School professionals can assist children in care by shifting their perspective and viewing behavior as communication.
Ford & Courtois (2013) suggest, "conceptualizing emotional and behavioral dysregulation as stress- and trauma-related responses...rather than as willful misbehavior."
When we do this we can look more closely at when and why a behavior happens, rather than focusing only on what the behavior looks like.
Here are some examples.
When I say things like
"I hate you!"
or
"Leave me alone!"
I mean:
"I'm not sure if I can trust you."
or
"I don't know if I should let you in."
When I run
from the classroom,
the principal's office, or the building
I mean:
"I don't feel safe here"
or
"I'm not sure if you care about me."
When I
kick and hit
or
throw
or
break
things
I mean:
"I feel powerless."
or
"All of my choices have been taken away."
When I am
unkind,
disrespectful,
or
mean to you
I mean:
"I know you are going to let me down too,
just like all the other adults in my life.
So, I can't afford to give you a chance."