Developing an effective strategy for

addressing challenging situations with

students

Dr Bryn Williams
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
 Physical health
Development
Attachment
& Young People
Self Regulation
Motor & Sensory
Speech &
Language
Cognition
Peer
relationships
Mental Health
 ErikEriksons stagesinchildrensemotional development

OldAge

Maturity

Adulthood

YoungAdulthood:15-20years

Adolescence: 11-16years

LateChildhood:5-12years

EarlyChildhood:3-6years

LateInfancy:1-4years

EarlyInfancy:0-18months

Withoutcompletingeachstage,achildsemotional development isgreatlyimpaired.

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 Attachment
Attachments lie at the heart of family
life. They create bonds that can provide
care and protection across the life cycle
and can evoke the most intense
emotions - joy in the making, anguish in
the breaking - or create problems if they
become insecure (Ainsworth, 1991)
 Bataris Box

Your thoughts, feelings,

beliefs and conditioned
responses

How they present How you present

and behave and behave

How they think and feel

A New Vision on Relationships

A nonviolent revolution is a
programme of transformation of
relationships

Nonviolence is not a weapon of the

weak. It is a weapon of the strongest
and the bravest
 New Authority
Not about giving in
Not about trying to control
Vigilant care
De-escalation
Authority/ influence through building the
relationship
 Ingredients for Attitude
Eye contact, smiles, touch, movement & food
Regression nurturing experiences
Emotional availability at times of stress
Surprises
Reciprocal pleasure in experiences
 Ingredients for Attitude

Expression of thoughts and feelings

Humour and gentle teasing
Basic safety and security
Discussion of past and future
Routines and rituals in order to create history
 Ingredients for Attitude
Effective discipline for Shame Reduction
Set and maintain your emotional tone
Accept thoughts, feelings and behaviours of the
young person
Provide natural and logical consequences
Be predictable
Re-attune following shaming encounter
 Develop a Strategy for the Young Person

Attending to the young person

Wonder aloud
Provide emotional containment
Let them know they are being kept in mind
Providing verbal and non-verbal commentary
Provide opportunities to learn new things
 A Strategy for the Young Person
Practise asking for help, relaxing, resolving
conflict, having fun, showing emotion
Communicate empathy and hope (I know you
can do this, Ive seen you be behaving better all
week)
Attend to transitions and change