[foubrak]

Hello all,

Hopefully some teachers will read this post as well. I was wondering, as a new teacher, how to deal with attention seekers in classroom settings. I know there are many kinds of attention seekers, but, what to do when a kid is craving attention from others. What to do with the typical kid who likes the 'spotlight' and the attention from others? What to do with a kid who loves to make others laugh all the time, but always disrupt the class?
Any advice?

Here is my opinion if that can be useful. I have always categorized disruptive classroom behaviors in two: positive and negative ones. The positive ones are somehow only disrupting the teacher's good order. They may call out answers all the time, speak with other classmates, speak loudly, read another kind of book during a lesson, etc. I say 'positive' because their behavior isn't wrong or harmful to anyone. Just not right for the time being. I think I don't need to explain the 'negative' behavior: sitting on the floor, running around, throwing papers, etc... I would categorize this kid's behavior as positive, since he wants to participate a lot, but I can see that his crave for being accepted and seen as a 'funny' boy by others will rapidly affect his learning process.

[Sabrina]

My son would fall into both the postive and negative categories but none of what he does is intentional at all. My son is ADHD and is suffering at school this year as his teacher has little tolerance, empathy and even less understanding of what he goes through (despite frequent communication to her).

I feel that a lot of my son's attention seeking is a desperate plea to be positively noticed and have his efforts praised. Sadly, his teacher only focuses on the negative and never praises his efforts, so he responds in the only way his confused 9 year old mind knows how - by looking for attention.

I am so very concerned for my son and what he has experienced with lack of guidance and understanding from his teacher this year. It is so sad to see him look for attention in totally counter-productive ways. I do know that he certainly "craves to be accepted" very much.

[Maven]

I'm by no means an expert or even an amateur on this, but perhaps getting an attention-seeker (at least those who seek positive attention) into something where he gets the attention he needs will help, even if you have to make a deal with him that you'll allow him this alternative method of getting attention as long as he behaves in the classroom. (This is assuming he will like the alternative method.)

I'm thinking of things like drama class (not necessarily at school--the community theater would work great), doing stand-up comedy, singing or playing music, or performing in some other way.

[Sabrina]

That is a really good idea!

[(JD)]

Well, the behavior you talk about comes about from different needs, as you probably know.

Those bright students who are terribly bored can only behave for just so long. If you also have to stop them from participating by their answering all the questions, you do have a time bomb going.

Another student might be bright but not able to figure out what you are teaching due to their learning style, thus they act up to take away the possibility that you will call on them, or to make sure you don't see they aren't doing their work.

Still another may not be receiving any attention at home, and perhaps accidently found out that they can entertain the class and gain much needed attention.

I'm not really for giving the smart bored student more work to do, as that is more like punishment. Perhaps if they complete their work early, or already "know" the subject matter, you can have them assist you with simple tasks about the classroom? (Yes, it's teacher's work but a little bit for good students is wonderful and may create a future teacher.) Are there errands to the office you need done? Papers to be sorted? Etc. If you can explain to the child and the parents the problem and that the special treatment depends upon proper conduct, they will probably be able to contain their boredom at other times.

The student acting out, well, it usually doesn't do much good to sit them down and talk at them. They probably don't realize why they are doing what they are doing. Have they been tested? Do you know their weaknesses in learning? Maybe they do know how they like to learn (fun) and you can come to an agreement that if he/she can work hard at behaving, that you will make sure xx amount of teaching will be the way they have fun/learn. Small group activities and individual time with you or a mentor in class (pair ups) might be another solution.

Try not to take their behavior personally. If they truly don't like you, then maybe they need to be moved to another class.

What you describe is where the real teaching hits the chalkboard imo. Making it tailored for each student so they can learn, and feel special at the same time is what it's all about. Good wishes on your endeavor!

[biiv]

hi there,
i could be disruptive in class at times. depends on what age group you re talking about though i guess. with me it was when i was very young and just didnt know better (up to 7 years old) and after i turned about 16. when i was older i would talk to the person next to me straight through three different classes. two of them because they were laughably easy and the other because i hated it so i paid no attention and had no idea what was going on. in the class i hated it worked out ok because it was chemistry so when we were doing experiments etc there was a lot of talking anyway. my teacher just let me get test results of 12% etc and pretty much ignored me. the person i sat beside was getting 98% in tests so i guess the teacher didnt think i was that disruptive!
in the two easy classes i really was disturbing the person beside me which i feel quite bad about now. one of the teachers took immediate offence, moved me, yelled at me, refused to correct my homework, constantly criticised me. i stone walled her in response and eventually refused to go to the class. on the other hand the other teacher didnt interfere at all. she just let me talk on. i disturbed the person next to me but then she would always turn to me to help her with her homework if she got lost because she was paying attention to me instead of the class. eventually the teacher approached me and asked if i would like to work on more advanced stuff. i was thrilled because it really gave me a confidence boost. and i had been being disruptive because those classes were the only chance i had to socialise for various reasons. in the end i didnt disturb anyone in that class except me and the girl next to me. she did fine in the exams because i helped her and i walked through them because of the extra personal attention i got from the teacher and the extra work. it all worked out.
just thought i would give you my experience in case it might help. i really hope you find a way to help this child and integrate him in the class as well.
good luck.
biiv

[January]

What age group are we discussing?

Jan

[kelllie]

Teaching in the inner city (elementary and middle schools), i have a lot of students who need lots of attention.

A few tips:

If they want attention give it to them! But give it to them whenever they are doing something good. That will be different from student to student because for some students sitting still for 5 minutes is an accomplishment!

Some kids are experts and pushing your buttons and sucking you into a verbal match. Don't fall for it. When they are misbehaving, respond quickly, directly, and free of emotion.

A kid who is able to get other kids to laugh is getting attention that way. Make your expectations clear that inappropriate behavior is to be ignored by other students. Allow students with permission to relocate if they need to if it helps them ignore that behavior.

Know your ring leaders - know who they are and get them on your side. If the ring leaders are on your side, then so will most of the class and the few misbehaving will be seen as problemsome and not funny or heroic or anything

Call parents when kids are doing things well. Indirect attention is still attention.

One tactic I find very useful (up to some 7th grade classes) is to invite appropriately behaving students one at a time by name to another area of the room to finish an activity disrupted by students searching for attention in negative ways. This not only allows you to finish the lesson with the behaving students, it removes ANY attention from other students or you towards that student. Most students who are misbehaving for attention get completely ignored, and often change quickly in order to join the rest of the group (don't forget to praise them for behaving appropriately even though they were angry or whatever).

Attention is a powerful and very easy reward for students who crave it, so use it wisely!

Good Luck