Skip to content

Challenging Behavior in Young Children-Advisory Group 

Hello! Thank you for taking 7-10 minutes to complete this survey. The information you provide will help professionals from the Brazelton Touchpoints Center to develop resources and training focused on responding to challenging behavior that occurs in early childhood programs.

Thank you!


1.Where is your program located?(Required.)
2.In what type of early care and education program do you work? Check all that apply.
3.Which of the following describes your role? Check all that apply.
4.Do you serve any families who have or are experiencing any of the following life stressors? Check all that apply.
5.What age group(s) of children/youth are you in direct contact with in your work? Check all that apply.
6.How many years of experience do you have in early care and education?
7.What is your highest level of education?
8.What additional training have you had that addresses challenging behavior in children? Check all that apply.
9.On the scale below, rate the behaviors and how challenging they are for you to address.
Not at all challenging
Somewhat challenging
Challenging
Very challenging
Extremely challenging
Difficulty focusing on activities 
Not participating in activities/interacting with others 
Unable to sit for an activity for its full duration 
Overactive - can’t stay still, running, jumping frequently 
Uncooperative with transitions
Refusing to nap / other routine activities 
Refusing to share or take turns with other children 
Refusing to do as asked/arguing (“defiant” behavior) 
Tantrums 
Running away 
Destruction of toys/materials/property
Biting 
Hitting, kicking, throwing things at other children 
Hitting, kicking, throwing things at adults 
10.On the scale below, rate the strategies that you find are the most effective in response to children exhibiting challenging behaviors.
Not at all effective
Somewhat effective
Effective
Very effective
Extremely effective
Redirect the child's behavior
Take away privileges (e.g. restrict use of toy / material for a period of time or participating in certain activities)
Ignore negative behavior and focus on positive behavior
Use a louder voice to correct the child
Talk calmly with the child
Help the child find words or feelings
Time out/cool off corner
Behavior management system with visual cues (e.g.  smiley /frowny faces; red, yellow, green cards)
Contact parent
Logical consequences
Quiet areas, cozy corners
Guide the child to self-calming/soothing strategies
Individualized behavior plans/behavior observation logs
Assign staff to shadow the child
Address basic needs (e.g. sleep, hunger)
Get support from a Mental Health Consultant or other source
Implement program disciplinary policy  (e.g. - remove the child from the classroom, send the child home, etc.)
11.Give an example of an experience you had with a child in your program who was exhibiting challenging behavior and you were unsure how to handle it. As you describe your example in the box below, include the child’s age, what was happening, what you tried, what the role of the child’s family was, and what the outcome was.
12.Has a child in your program ever been permanently removed or expelled due to challenging behaviors?
13.If yes, what type of behavior did the child exhibit that led to him/ her being removed?
14.If yes, how many children has your program expelled in the last year? 
15.On the scale below, rate the stress you experience when responding to a child whom you experience as having the most challenging behaviors.(Required.)
Not at all stressful  
Somewhat stressful
Stressful
Very stressful
Extremely stressful 
16.What barriers keep you from effectively responding to challenging behaviors? Check all that apply.
17.Which of the following resources listed below do you think would be helpful to you when responding to children with challenging behaviors? Choose the top 3 resources.
18.If you were to participate in training, which of the following would work best for you? Check all that apply.
Current Progress,
0 of 18 answered