Some Categories of Pastoral Care

The Troublesome Child in the Class

The Troublesome Child in the Class

Question:
What should I do with a troublesome child in my class? What are the reasons that lead children to misbehave, and what is their treatment?

Answer:
The reasons that lead a child to misbehave in the class may be due to faults in the child, or in the teacher, or in the lesson—or all of these together:

1. The presence of an unquiet child in your class may be a clear indication that the lesson is not interesting or enjoyable, failing to attract the child’s attention. We all know that a pleasant, attractive story is able to silence even the noisiest of children…
2. The lesson may be enjoyable, but it may not be suitable for the child’s age.
3. Sometimes the child resorts to mischief out of boredom—
   either because the lesson is repeated, or because the lesson is too long. A child cannot concentrate for a long time on one subject unless the subject can capture all his senses. A short lesson is very suitable for children.
4. The reason for the child’s misbehavior may be that the teacher does not involve the child in the lesson, but delivers it in lecture form— not in a manner of give – and-take, questions and answers. The child wants to speak and move during the lesson; he cannot remain silent for a long time. If you do not give him a chance to speak and move—through many questions, answers, review, discussion, and recitation—he will move and speak for any reason, without restraint.
5. Sometimes the reason is the overcrowding of the class.
   The teacher cannot control the class, and the large number leads to noise. The child may not be comfortable in his seat, or may be lost among a group in which he feels no personal identity, or he may think he is not being watched because of the large number.
6. The reason for his noise may be the teacher’s neglect of him, or lack of encouragement. To feel his own personality and draw attention to himself, he resorts to mischief.
7. The reason may be the lack of an emotional relationship between the teacher and the student.
   Sometimes the teacher forgets personal care and becomes a stranger to the child, without a special bond. If this bond exists, the problem is solved.
8. In all cases, we cannot deny that the teacher’s personality plays a major role in the quietness of the class.
   A beloved teacher, experienced in dealing with souls, skilled in teaching, spiritual, trustworthy, and exemplary—his students must certainly respect him and maintain quietness during his lesson.
9. God may have placed this child in the teacher’s path for the teacher’s spiritual benefit…
   either to give him the virtue of patience and long-suffering, or the virtue of wisdom and good handling of souls, or to train him in prayer, that he might pour himself before God for this child, or to teach him humility. Perhaps that teacher thought himself something great—so God wanted to show him how weak he is before the behavior of a child.
10. The reason may lie in the child, not the teacher—
    the child may be aggressive, or spoiled, or attention-seeking, or talkative, or possessing excess energy he does not know how to use. And this last type can be benefited from if his energy is put to useful purpose.
11. The reason may be the bad example found in Church education classes or in the school the child attends.
12. The reason may be family problems that need solving.

Whatever the reason, we must treat it, whether it is in the teacher, the student, the family, or a bad example… knowing that our work is directed especially toward such a child: for the healthy do not need a physician, but the sick. Christ left the ninety-nine and sought the one lost.

But be careful not to resort to a wrong method in dealing with the troublesome child—
such as pouring out your anger on him, treating him with hitting, expulsion, insults, humiliation, excessive rebuke, or harsh discipline.
By this you only vent your tired nerves, but you do not treat the child. On the contrary, you give him—and others—a bad example.

Remember that you also may have been, or still are, a troublesome student among the disciples of Jesus Christ…

We pray that the Lord may grant us wisdom to deal with these children, and that the Lord may bless their lives and use them in His vineyard like the others…

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