These are handouts from the Parent University workshop Taking a Bite Out of Challenging Behaviors in Young Children by Dr. Angela Searcy

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Taking the Bite Out of
Challenging Behaviors in
Young Children
By Dr. Angela Searcy
asearcya@aol.com
708-845-2343

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Dr. Angela Searcy asearcya@aol.com 708-845-2343
Dr. Angela Searcy holds a B.A. degree in English and
secondary education with teacher certification though the
state of Illinois and a M.S. degree in early childhood
development from Erikson Institute, with a
specialization in Infant Studies and a Doctorate in
Education. Her research centers around brain-based
learning and it’s correlation to aggressive behaviors in
preschool children.
Angela is the owner and founder of Simple Solutions
Educational Services, has over 25 years of experience
in the field of education. She has acted as an professional
development provider for Center on the Social and
Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
(CSEFEL) at Vanderbilt University. Angela currently
is an adjunct online professor at Erikson Institute and a
professional development provider for Teaching
Strategies, LLC, Kaplan Early Learning and Erikson
Institute for Child Development.
A former associate at the Neuropsychology Diagnostic
Center in Orland Park, Illinois, Angela has specialized
training in neuroscience and is a nationally recognized
speaker. She has been featured on Chicago’s WGN
Channel 9 News, Chicago Public Radio’s Chicago
Matters, Chicago Parent and Chicago Baby Magazines

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Need Ideas? Let’s Connect!
Dr. Angela Nelson-Searcy
OR
@angelassimplesolutions
Angela Searcy
@Angela_ Searcy
Angela Searcy's Simple Solutions
© 2015

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YouTube!
My YouTube Channel

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My Family

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Research Shows Challenging Behaviors Are COMMON
Among Young Children

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Prevention is the Best
intervention!
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Make Sure Your Child Can HEAR
and SEE! Make Sure the is no
medical reason for behavior
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Move past WHAT to WHY! I
have a sensory need!
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Sensory need,
anxious, etc.
Get some chewlery
from
https://www.especia
lneeds.com
Get some gum!

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Why? Few words!
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Lifeprint.com
More

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Why? I am Hungry!

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Why? I am Bored!
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Why? I Want Something I
Cannot Have

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Why? I am Frustrated!
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Blow off some steam!
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Turtle Technique at
www.vanderbilt.edu/practicalstrategies
Recognize
that you
feel angry.
“Think”
Stop.
Go into shell.
Take 3 deep
breathes.
And think
calm, coping
thoughts.
Come out
of shell
when calm
and think of
a solution.

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Use Tools to Help
Me Calm Down…
Calm down

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Trip To the Library Without Preventions

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Why? I don’t know where we are going!
Social Story
Cue Cards
Mini-Schedule
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Make Your “Expectations” Clear
• Tell your child what to do instead of what not
to do. 3 more swings and we will leave. 2
more bites, 5 more mintues, etc.
• Clearly and simply state what you expect your
child to do.
• Have age-appropriate expectations.
• Use age-appropriate language. Young
children have difficulty with contractions (two
words that are combined to form one, such as
“don’t” and “can’t”). 23

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Say the DO instead of the Don’t
• Stop yelling!
• Don’t throw your
toys!
• Stop bothering your
sister!.
• Cut it out.
• Use your inside
voice
• Your toys go here or
you need a ball
• Use kind words
• Try to use kind
words and hands
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I won’t clean up!

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Angela Searcy's Simple Solutions
© 2015
Why? I don’t know the steps to cleaning

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I don’t know what “tidy” looks like

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I won’t do my homework!

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I won’t go to bed
Consult your doctor

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I am scarred of Monsters!

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I won’t get up in the morning!

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Why? There are TOO Many directions!!!

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I wont get dressed! Why? I am still developing fine motor skills

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I won’t eat! WHY? I don’t know what this IS!!!!

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Make Sure there is NO
medical reason

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I am cranky! WHY I am a little kid!!!

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When You child Flips OUT!
FLIP the Script
• Find out the reason if there is a medical
cause –hearing,vision, reflux
• Let it take time to work! You are in it for
the long haul
• Inform your self about your child’s stage
of development
• Pick your battles! As long as you are
safe
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