The disruptive child in class

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the problem of the mischievous child is not always in the child himself, but may be connected to the teacher, the lesson, the environment, or the child’s own circumstances. He emphasizes that expulsion or punishment is not a spiritual solution; the correct approach is understanding, love, and proper educational treatment.

1. Causes related to the teacher or teaching method

• The lesson may be uninteresting and not enjoyable.

• The lesson may not suit the age of the child.

• A long or repeated lesson causes boredom.

• Not involving the child makes him restless and noisy.

• Weak educational personality makes the teacher unable to manage the classroom.

Treatment

• Make the lesson enjoyable, short, and age-appropriate.

• Use questions, review, and interaction to attract children.

• Apply “organized noise” through dialogue and recitation.

• Improve teaching skills through preparation, experience, and observing senior servants.

2. Causes related to the child himself

• The child may have excessive energy or love of appearance or talkativeness.

• He may act stubborn due to excessive pampering at home.

• He may have inherited or acquired anger or nervousness.

• He may lack love at home and search for it with the teacher.

Treatment

• Winning the child through love and involving him in the classroom work.

• Using his energy in useful ways (arranging chairs, helping, participating).

• Creating a relationship of trust and affection.

• Remembering that a child who loves his teacher never makes noise with him.

3. Causes related to the environment and classroom

• Crowded classrooms and lack of order.

• Lack of personal attention, making the child seek attention through noise.

• Bad influence from home, street, school, or other children.

Treatment

• Reduce the number of children or divide into smaller classes.

• Give each child personal attention and encouragement.

• Maintain order with wisdom, not violence.

Spiritual dimension

• God may allow a mischievous child to teach the servant virtues:
  patience – tolerance – wisdom – humility – good management.

• The servant must remember that he himself was once a “troublesome child” before God, and God was patient with him.

• The goal is not punishing the child but treating him, as the Lord said:
  “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but those who are sick.”

Educational summary

The successful servant does not expel the mischievous child but understands him and treats him with love, transforms his energy into something useful, and sees his presence as divine training for shaping his character and ministry.

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