Behavioral Interventions for Young Children (Video)

Helping Young Children Through Challenging Behaviors

In this Lunch and Learn session, occupational therapist Nisha discusses practical ways to understand and support young children who exhibit challenging behaviors such as aggression, defiance, tantrums, or inattention. It’s a great session for therapists, teachers, and caregivers who want to look beyond the surface of behavior and understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.

Why Kids Act the Way They Do

One of the biggest takeaways from this talk is that behavior is communication. Every action, whether it’s crying, refusing to listen, or acting out, is a signal about how a child is feeling or what they need.

The Role of Relationships

Connection is everything. Nish explains how strong, caring relationships help kids develop co-regulation, learning to calm down with help from an adult, before they can truly self-regulate on their own.

The ABCs of Behavior

To understand why a behavior happens, Nish walks through the ABCs:

• Antecedent: What happened right before?
• Behavior: What did the child do?
• Consequence: What happened after?

Once you spot the pattern, it’s easier to see if the child is trying to get attention, avoid something, or meet a sensory need.

Real-World Strategies That Work

This video covers a bunch of hands-on strategies professionals can start using right away.

Create Predictable Routines

Kids thrive on structure. Predictable routines give them a sense of security and make transitions smoother.

Model and Teach Expectations

Instead of just telling kids what not to do, show them what the right behavior looks like. Keep communication clear, calm, and positive.

Find What Motivates Each Child

Whether it’s praise, playtime, or small rewards, motivation matters. Engagement goes up when kids feel seen and supported.

Focus on Effort and Small Wins

Nish encourages a strength-based approach, praising effort and progress instead of just results. Little wins build confidence and keep things moving forward.

Stay Calm During Tough Moments

Avoid power struggles when emotions run high. Practicing mindful self-regulation and naming feelings (“I can see you’re frustrated”) can help both the adult and the child cool down faster.

Adjust the Environment

Sometimes the setup makes all the difference. Simplify routines, use visual cues, or add sensory supports to create a calmer space that meets the child’s needs.

Working Together and Reflecting

Nish reminds us that supporting behavior is a team effort. Collaboration with families, teachers, and therapists is key.

Track What You See

Collecting data like when and where behaviors happen helps figure out what’s working and what needs tweaking.

Empower Families

Every plan should reflect the child’s home life, culture, and family priorities. When families feel confident and supported, progress sticks.

Reflect and Adjust

Take time to ask: Was this fair? Was the child ready? Reflection helps everyone grow and keeps the focus on understanding, not blame.

The Big Picture

At its core, this session is about seeing behavior as communication, not defiance. When adults stay curious, connected, and collaborative, kids get the support they need to build emotional skills that last a lifetime.