Children with Emotional Problems

Helping Them Succeed

How can a teacher help youngsters with emotional problems learn? According to Henley and Long (2003), teachers and caregivers should be sensitive to the warning signs of developing emotional problems. Then, they should use the following strategies to help students overcome their emotional barriers to learning:

1. Make learning relevant

2. Help students establish positive peer relationships

3. Teach behavior management skills

4. Identify and deal with depression

5. Support activities that foster feelings of competence, strengthen social relationships, and bolster self-efficacy

6. Help students cope with stress 

7. Instill hope

The authors stress: "More than anything else, troubled youth need to know their lives can improve....When teachers provide a refuge from the 'bad' in a student's life, they inspire hope and help students see that the past is not necessarily a prelude to the future."

From "Helping Children With Emotional Problems Succeed" by Martin Henley and Nicholas Long (Classrom Leadership 2003) on the ASCD Web site.

Related Links

» Life Lessons Through Sports - Teacher Steve Meyer creates activities that foster feelings of competence, strengthen social relationships, and bolster self-efficacy.   

» Conflict Resolution Programs - Reduce aggression and enhance learning. (Book excerpt)

» Behavior Contracts - A simple contract stating expected behaviors and rewards for appropriate behavior can help students change negative behavior.