Dysregulation and maladaptive behaviours in young children (2-part series)

This course is designed to support educators in developing a better understanding of the complexity of children’s behaviour and why a timely and consistent approach is important. You will be asked the question: Why do some children respond or behave in certain ways? If educators think about children’s behaviour as a form of communication, the first thing you need to ask yourself is: What is a child saying when they retreat from a difficult situation, communicate non-verbally, refuse to share, fight over resources, or experience unpredictable outbursts?

Together, you will explore the pathways to emotional regulation and consider possible behaviours children may demonstrate when they are in a state of dysregulation. By engaging with this course, you will develop a deeper appreciation for the foundational nature of regulation for children’s learning, as well as the negative impact of stress on children’s emotions and behaviour, and any barriers to their capacity to learn or engage.

You will be encouraged to adopt an individualised lens for understanding and supporting children’s behaviour, and you will do this through an exploration of potential sources of stress and by identifying common behavioural and environmental triggers, both within and outside your early learning service settings. By developing a better understanding of children’s experiences, developmental pathways and sensitivities, educators are empowered to support children’s social, emotional and behavioural capabilities.

In this series, you will:

• understand behaviour is a form of communication to help educators develop a better understanding of each individual child
• learn how children regulate their emotions, thoughts and behaviours and what maladaptive behaviours look like
• develop strategies to support children in times of prolonged dysregulation (stress, frustration and anger)
• discover the meaning of a child’s state of dysregulation and strategies to support young children to regulate their behaviour
• understand children’s potential triggers and what these can look like.

Recommended for: Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Early Childhood Teacher, Educational Leader.

Duration: 1 hour (Part 1: 40 minutes, Part 2: 20 minutes)