Use de-escalating behaviour strategies
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Respond safely to challenging situations’
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Recognise stages in behaviour
Recognise stages in behaviour
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Consider safety first
Consider safety first
- Remove the audience – ask other students to take their work and move away.
- Give the student physical space.
- Name the emotion in a calm even voice: “You look really angry”, “I can see that you are very frustrated”…
- Wait.
Take a stepped approach
Take a stepped approach
Ensure your language is concise and short:
- Calmly and clearly tell them what to do (avoid arguing with them).
- Where possible and appropriate, give them a choice, then some time to respond.
- If necessary, redirect them to another activity, move them to another de-escalation space, or remove them from the activity or room to calm down. Follow your school’s policies in such instances.
Think ahead checklist
Think ahead checklist
- If escalation occurs, move further away.
- Make sure you have an exit plan.
- Constantly reassess the situation.
- Send for help if necessary.
Reflective questions
Reflective questions
- What de-escalating approaches do you regularly use?
- What de-escalating spaces do you have available to you?
Useful resources
Useful resources
Physical restraint
Read time: 28 min
Information for parents on physical restraint in schools and kura.
Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Responding to non-responders: Managing escalations
This PowerPoint promotes teacher understanding, best practice, and planning to manage escalating behaviour sequences.
Publisher: OSEP Centre on Positive Behavioural Intervention & Support
Download PDF (692 KB)
De-escalation spaces: Helping students manage emotions
Video showing that by creating dedicated spaces for students, it allows them to manage emotions.
Publisher: Edutopia
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Respond safely to challenging situations”:
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Current page Use de-escalating behaviour strategies
Return to the guide “Behaviour and learning”
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Behaviour and learning
Understand:
- Understanding behaviour
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Understanding how to respond to problem behaviourShow suggestions for Understanding how to respond to problem behaviour
Strategies for action:
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Foster positive relationships and partnershipsShow suggestions for Foster positive relationships and partnerships
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Collaboratively develop a safe and caring culture and climateShow suggestions for Collaboratively develop a safe and caring culture and climate
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Supporting language and communication skillsShow suggestions for Supporting language and communication skills
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Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental healthShow suggestions for Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental health
- Anticipate, monitor, and plan for responding to child stress
- Strengthen student identity
- Teach stress management, anxiety and coping skills
- Offer relaxation options and downtime activities
- Teach how to recognise emotions and options for expressing feelings
- Providing support following traumatic experiences
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Enable access and participation in learningShow suggestions for Enable access and participation in learning
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Respond safely to challenging situationsShow suggestions for Respond safely to challenging situations
- Use de-escalating behaviour strategies
- Helpful teacher behaviours and communication
- Respond safely to physical aggression
- Managing an incident
- Collaboratively develop a behaviour plan
