Dealing with Challenging Youth Behavior Handout
Dealing with Challenging Youth Behavior Youth
Over-Enthusiastic
Behaviors Rushes to answer. Talkative. Does not allow room for others to participate. May have personal experience with content. Often does not intend to be disruptive.
Strategies
Hostile or Aggressive
Wet Blanket
Know It All
Criticizes the curriculum/presentation, you or other participants. Could have a personal experience that is causing emotions to be stirred up because of the content. Could just be in a negative space.
Expresses negativity often. Puts a damper on the group. Brings up worst case scenarios. Often complains about things that can’t be changed. Voices concerns passive aggressively. May not speak up but looks bored or uses negative nonverbal body language.
Feels they are the ultimate authority on what you are talking about. May or may not be knowledgeable about the content. Does not allow room for others to participate. May be rude to other youth.
Ignores requests to stay on track or get focused. Constantly makes jokes or commentary.
Joker
© 2016 ETR Associates
Actively call on others. State to group that you want to hear from everyone in the room. Affirm their enthusiasm. Ask them to make room for other participants. Refer to group agreements and modify, if needed. Don’t allow hostility to take over the situation. Encourage person to stick with what is going on. State that there will be chances to give feedback about the class. Politely curb disrespectful comments. Use “I” statement to request a change in their behavior. As agreed upon with teacher or other site person, ask them to intervene and if appropriate, ask the youth to leave. Give concrete examples of what has worked in the past. Encourage youth to stick with what is presently being discussed. Ask them to share positive ideas. Offer their negative comments to the group for realistic solutions.
Verbally encourage group to make space for all to contribute. Acknowledge their expertise or experience and remind about group agreements. When rude to others, use an “I” statement to reaffirm the importance of showing respect for others. Appreciate humor but remind them of the time constraints of the class and why you are together. Get creative in finding a role for this person to utilize their humor i.e. volunteering for role plays. Refer to group agreements including respect for others.
Dealing with Challenging Youth Behavior
Cross Talker
Inarticulate or Confused
NOTES:
© 2016 ETR Associates
May be subject related or personal side conversation. Distracts other youth and facilitators. Often times not aware of the group’s current conversation.
Makes an effort to participate. Can’t seem to find the words to explain or express thoughts or feelings. Easily gets off track in discussion or group work.
Use non verbal cues to get their attention and assist them in focusing on the topic. Briefly stand near talker while you present. Utilize co- facilitator to ask the person to discontinue side conversations. Use your agreement with the teacher about handling this type of ongoing situation. Do NOT embarrass this youth. Ask for permission to paraphrase what you think you heard. Check to see you if you paraphrased correctly. Ask them to restate their comment if they choose. Keep things moving while still being sensitive to their needs.
Over-Enthusiastic
Behaviors Rushes to answer. Talkative. Does not allow room for others to participate. May have personal experience with content. Often does not intend to be disruptive.
Strategies
Hostile or Aggressive
Wet Blanket
Know It All
Criticizes the curriculum/presentation, you or other participants. Could have a personal experience that is causing emotions to be stirred up because of the content. Could just be in a negative space.
Expresses negativity often. Puts a damper on the group. Brings up worst case scenarios. Often complains about things that can’t be changed. Voices concerns passive aggressively. May not speak up but looks bored or uses negative nonverbal body language.
Feels they are the ultimate authority on what you are talking about. May or may not be knowledgeable about the content. Does not allow room for others to participate. May be rude to other youth.
Ignores requests to stay on track or get focused. Constantly makes jokes or commentary.
Joker
© 2016 ETR Associates
Actively call on others. State to group that you want to hear from everyone in the room. Affirm their enthusiasm. Ask them to make room for other participants. Refer to group agreements and modify, if needed. Don’t allow hostility to take over the situation. Encourage person to stick with what is going on. State that there will be chances to give feedback about the class. Politely curb disrespectful comments. Use “I” statement to request a change in their behavior. As agreed upon with teacher or other site person, ask them to intervene and if appropriate, ask the youth to leave. Give concrete examples of what has worked in the past. Encourage youth to stick with what is presently being discussed. Ask them to share positive ideas. Offer their negative comments to the group for realistic solutions.
Verbally encourage group to make space for all to contribute. Acknowledge their expertise or experience and remind about group agreements. When rude to others, use an “I” statement to reaffirm the importance of showing respect for others. Appreciate humor but remind them of the time constraints of the class and why you are together. Get creative in finding a role for this person to utilize their humor i.e. volunteering for role plays. Refer to group agreements including respect for others.
Dealing with Challenging Youth Behavior
Cross Talker
Inarticulate or Confused
NOTES:
© 2016 ETR Associates
May be subject related or personal side conversation. Distracts other youth and facilitators. Often times not aware of the group’s current conversation.
Makes an effort to participate. Can’t seem to find the words to explain or express thoughts or feelings. Easily gets off track in discussion or group work.
Use non verbal cues to get their attention and assist them in focusing on the topic. Briefly stand near talker while you present. Utilize co- facilitator to ask the person to discontinue side conversations. Use your agreement with the teacher about handling this type of ongoing situation. Do NOT embarrass this youth. Ask for permission to paraphrase what you think you heard. Check to see you if you paraphrased correctly. Ask them to restate their comment if they choose. Keep things moving while still being sensitive to their needs.
