Why Child Misbehaves at School & How to Address it

Misbehaviour in school occurs when a student acts in a manner contradictory to the norms and regulations that the school stand for. It entails making unnecessary noise in class, disobeying instructions, disrespecting fellow peers or teachers, violating school regulations, or arguing with other people. It impacts the child’s learning and the classroom environment and is an indication of the child having emotional, social, or intellectual problems.
Every parent goes through a phase when they are worried about their child’s behaviour at school. For the child to achieve emotional, social, and intellectual success, it’s important to dive deep and understand why the problem exists in the first place and not resort to extreme measures straight away. This blog provides answers to the causes of misbehaviour from children at school and what parents and teachers can do to prevent it.

Common Causes of Misbehaviour at School

1. Psychological Factors

• Emotional Distress: Under emotional distress such as worry, fear, or tension created from personal circumstances, like bullying or family problems.
• Restricted Attention: They may act out when they feel they are being ignored or have no value at all from friends or teachers.
• Low Self-Esteem: When people have low confidence, they tend to act out in ways to hide feelings of dissatisfaction or inadequacies.
• Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, sadness, or ADHD may render a child incapable of acceptable social behaviour.
• Unaddressed Emotional Needs: Children feeling lonely or unsafe have a propensity to act out.
• Emotional Processing Difficulties: Some children just can’t express their feelings. They may have problems like sadness, rage, and frustration, and can make a scene on school premises.

2. Emotional Factors

• Academic Burden: A child might get rebellious, disruptive, or even destructive when he feels that the pressure of lessons or expectations from teachers is mounting.
• Feel of Rejection: Getting rejected by friends or having bad interaction with people often leads to loneliness, which sometimes triggers rebellious or attention-seeking tendencies.
• Inability to Express Feelings: Children often are unable to express their feelings and consequently become emotionally stressed and can resort to misbehaviour.
• Emotional Insecurity: For those children who are misbehaving in home or classroom, emotional insecurity may lead them to act out to regain their power or to achieve recognition.
• Anger or Resentment: In some cases, the aggressive or defiant behaviour of children can be a manifestation of unresolved conflicts or grievances against family members, friends, or teachers.

Find ‘Why’ Behind Child’s Misbehaviour

Trying to find the cause of misbehaviour in a child is a very important factor. Children often misbehave not because they want to but because they cannot communicate their wants or feelings. Misbehaviour can become their language in communicating frustration, confusion, or insecurity.
Instead of tagging the child for just being ‘naughty,’ go deep inside to understand what might be triggering his/her actions. 

Peer Pressure and Social Dynamics

• Desire for Acceptance: Children are often in a situation where they are compelled to confront their peers’ behaviour or acceptance that can lead to misbehaviour.
• Fear of Rejection: The fear of rejection or bullying may sometimes compel children to become a part of inappropriate behaviour so that they can be a part of their peer group.
• Competitive Environment: In some cases, children might engage in wrongdoings in order to compete for attention, status, or ranking within the peer group at that particular time, hence disrupting class.
• Social Learning: Children generally learn by imitating their peers. If misbehaviour is prevalent in the group, they are likely to adopt similar behaviours to maintain social standing.

Tips for Parents

1. Build a Supportive Home Environment

It’s critical to establish a supportive home environment. Set up routines and boundaries that are clear so that your child feels safe and you know what to expect. Help your child feel comfortable sharing their worries and difficulties, promote open conversation.

2. Focus on Solutions, Not Punishment

While addressing misbehaviour, avoid harsh punishments. Rather, concentrate on comprehending the cause of the conduct and collaborate to identify remedies. This can provide your child with tools to improve their self-expression, teaching them coping mechanisms, or assisting them in solving problems.

3. Partner with Teachers and School Staff

It could be much easier to control your child’s misbehaviour if you have a positive relationship with their teachers. Regular communication would ensure that the school and you are working together to support your child. Teachers can provide insightful information about your child’s classroom behaviour, and you two can work together to create plans to deal with the issues at home and at school.

In conclusion, the first step in assisting your child to self-regulate would involve identifying the cause behind school misbehaviour. This involves parents helping their children learn more constructively, cope and thrive academically and socially with the approach of empathy, open communication, and find constructive solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do you deal with a child who constantly misbehaves?

Ans: Seek expert help by consulting a child psychologist or counsellor in case the misbehaviour persists despite all your efforts. They can be of great value in case the behaviour is a result of underlying conditions and disorders.

Q2. Can misbehaviour be an indication of any underlying academic issue?

Ans: Misbehaviour can sometimes indicate the underlying academic issues the child might be facing. Hence, a formal assessment by a school psychologist or special educator can help in determining the learning issues in the child if any.

Q3. How do you help a child overcome peer pressure?

Ans: Openly discuss peer pressure without any inhibitions with your child. Encourage them to talk about their social interactions and teach them to take decisions independently. Role-playing in different scenarios can also prepare them to handle peer pressure.

Q4. Should I punish my child for bad behaviour at school?

Ans: Understand the cause of the misbehaviour rather than punishing. Be kind with the child. Help him or her to improve behaviour by counselling. It will impact child in the long run.

Q5. When should I be concerned about a child’s behaviour?

Ans: Frequent misbehaviour is a cause of concern. Professional help is the best option if your child’s behaviour regularly interferes with his/her relationships and academics. Teachers can also shed light on whether the behaviour is age-appropriate or needs further care.