The Educator’s Lifeline: 10 Strategies to Support Challenging Behaviors

SHOW NOTES

• Click to download the transcript for Episode 32

Key Takeaways:

• Educators can use “lifelines” as practical strategies to support students with challenging behaviors, helping them stay calm and engaged without resorting to exclusion.
• Approaching students with empathy and giving them choices allows educators to guide them back to a ready-to-learn state, prioritizing emotional safety in the classroom.
• By focusing on inclusivity and connection over strict rules, educators can create a supportive environment where every student feels seen and valued

Highlights from the Handout:

Julie’s Favorite:

• Approaching Warmly or Silently. Using a soothing tone and empathetic nonverbal communication is a powerful way to support students by ensuring they feel seen and bring them back to a calm, ready state. 

Kristie’s Favorite:

• Offering Choices. Empower students by offering choices that encourage autonomy and provide a grounding sense of control during challenging moments.

Practical Tips:

(15:03) “Use supportive silence; sometimes, simply being present and not filling the space with words allows the student to process emotions without feeling pressured.”

(18:27) “Practice sound minimalism by lowering the volume of background noise or asking others to speak softly, which can help reduce sensory overload for students who feel overwhelmed.”