Article by Erica Ryder

How to manage behaviour in younger age children’s physical activity sessions

Have you ever left a children’s activity session feeling completely drained and inadequate? Have the children run you ragged for the entire 60 minute session?  Consider this scenario; you have spent time planning and organising a fantastic children’s activity session with primary and secondary learning outcomes.  You feel full of enthusiasm and positive that you can inspire the future generations and lead them to a healthy future.  The school bell goes and a number of unruly, excitable children fill your activity space and immediately display a number of disruptive behaviours.  Relax, you are not alone…

Our challenge as a coach is to create a balance of enjoyment and focus, allowing the children to achieve fitness benefits and build technical skills whilst still maintaining a fun and motivating environment.  Avoid letting control become the primary objective of your session.  If you are constantly battling with the children in a bid to restore order, you may find that session interactions become hostile and you become heavily reliant on punishments.

At the other end of the spectrum is the coach who tries to be a ‘friend’ to the children in the class.  This can lead to blurred boundaries; children need to know what is acceptable and what isn’t.  Without clear limits, children are bound to test how far their behaviour can go but rest assured this is a natural and healthy part of their development.  The truth is you cannot control anyone’s behaviour but your own.  You can however, influence and promote good behaviour.  Set a good example by role modelling good sportsmanship, manners and conduct. Give plenty of positive reinforcements by noticing and praising good behaviour and give clear and consistent messages about what they can and can’t do.

Don’t expect all children to change their behaviour immediately, they may need time and space to make better choices.  So give them a chance; it can take some children longer than others to reflect and alter their conduct.   Provide some positive feedback elsewhere and continue with your session.    The longer you spend on control the more chance there is for defensive reactions.  Act quickly, deliver the message and continue with your class.  The message must be simple, clear and non negotiable, avoid getting caught up in lengthy reasoning, argument or confrontation.

Choose your words wisely.  Criticize the behaviour but not the person, for example, “excluding Rachael from the group work is hurtful” rather than “don’t be nasty to Rachael”.   Making threats or personal remarks can lower self esteem and be intimidating, for example, “if you do that one more time I will…”  It is better to make them responsible for their own actions, for example, “if you continue with this behaviour you are choosing to spend time in the chill out zone.”  Remember to remain consistent in terms of your language, the ground rules and penalties you apply and encourage them to make the right choices.

My final piece of advice would be to grow a ‘thick skin’ and not take anything too personally. Manage your emotions and remain optimistic to keep things in perspective.  There are many reasons for disruptive behaviour; perhaps is it to get your attention, the respect of their peers or that they are simply hot and bothered.  Rise to the challenge! Try to find solutions to behavioural issues in a professional and insightful manner.

I would recommend keeping a reflective diary and researching and implementing different behaviour management methods.  Keep a log of what works and what doesn’t.  This way you will build a bespoke ‘box of tricks’.  In the event of disruptive behaviour continuing, remember your response will be observed by the other children in your class.  Keep calm and carry on coaching; don’t let the children in your class influence your emotions and ultimately your behaviour.

Interested in training to teach children, join Erica on our Children’s Fitness Toolbox course.

Erica Ryder

Erica has helped to develop Drummond Education’s new Children’s Fitness Toolbox.  She has been heavily involved in the development of a number of other children’s fitness and training products to include Fitness Professionals’ Fitclub and Lazy town Sports club.  The latter has involved frequent trips to Iceland to film the instructor training resources and module delivery in Mexico.  She is now studying to complete her degree in Child and Youth Studies.  She is a senior tutor for Drummond Education. She is a dance trainer for Luv2dance which involves leading large groups of, often disengaged, teenage girls through street dance weekends leading them to performance.

References

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6000095

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2010/feb/09/pupil-behaviour-management-tips