Every teacher has faced the challenge of handling a difficult student in class and every class has a difficult student. What matters is how you handle the student and the parents along with the child. Here are a few tips to help you face this challenge. Remember, each child is unique so the problems of each difficult child will also be unique. You should tailor the tips given here accordingly.

1. First, accept that there is a problem... in the classroom.
Very often some teachers do not like to acknowledge that there is indiscipline in their class. They feel it might be a reflection of their inability to control the class. But the truth is, if you sweep the problem under the carpet, it will not go away. More students will get distracted and your class will be wasted every time.

2. Identify the cause of the problem.
Before jumping to conclusions, first try to understand what the problem is. Is the child fidgety by nature? Do all teachers have problems or does he/she act up only in your class? Do they find your subject difficult to comprehend or uninteresting and hence do not pay attention or disturb others? Is he or she a back bencher and hence prone to distractions because they cannot hear you?
You can start by first asking them in class or in private what the problem is. You may be surprised by the answer. Very few students actually start with the intention of causing trouble.
After studying the problem, you may be able to classify it under one or more of the following categories:

• Pedagogical issues: Difficulty in understanding the subject and consequently the inability to do class work or homework assignments. This may require you to give support to the child if he is keen but unable to do his assignment.
• Learning disability: Difficulty in learning that hinders the child in all subjects and requires special attention.
• Behavioural issues: As a teacher you may observe that the child is fidgety and distracting by nature, or prone to lying to get out of a difficult situation (I was sick so could not complete my work, someone stole my work so I could not submit on time), or not be motivated enough to work hard. Counselling the child may help.
• Unsupportive home environment: Primary graders usually need a little help with homework or projects. If there is no support at home because the parents are busy or the child did not note down the homework instruction correctly, then they will turn in incomplete or incorrect work. Or worse, they may come to school with no homework at all.

3. Discuss with your colleagues and seniors.
Sharing your problem with your colleagues may give you insights that will help you help the student. You may also find out what the real problem is. You may also get tips on what worked with other students who had discipline issues.

4. Give the child responsibility.
Children in the primary grades (5 to 11 years) usually look up to their teachers and love it when they praise them. Though girls are more demonstrative and run up to help or offer a pen or eraser or rub the board clean, boys also feel great though they do not show it.

When you entrust responsibility to the child, you are sending them a message, a positive one that says you trust them and that they are good enough to be trusted with the important task.

Some of the simple tasks you could ask for are:
• Will you rub the blackboard clean for me, please?
• Will you collect the worksheets from the class?
• Will you hand out the worksheets?
• Can you bring a picture of the topic we discussed today?
• Will you read out this passage in the class?

Simple tasks such as these will not only keep them constructively engaged but also instil a sense of importance in the child.
Doing this on a continuous basis gradually changes the child’s behaviour into a positive and involved one.
However, if the problem persists, then you need to bring in the parents.

5. Consult with the parents:
Some parents may react with surprise when you first tell them about the problem. It is natural, as the child may behave differently in school and at home. But you must be prepared to take time and tell them what the situation is. Especially if the child uses inappropriate language or shows signs of rebellion. But do not suggest reprimanding with physical violence or punishment inappropriate for their age.

Some parents may start complaining to you about the child, which is again natural, as the child may be too difficult to handle at home too. In this case, you may have to take the lead to suggest ways in which the behaviour may be modified. Your school counsellors can guide you and the parents in this matter.
The parents should be regularly updated about the progress of the child regarding behaviour and academic issues.

6. Reward good behaviour immediately:
If, for any reason, the child decides to co-operate and do as instructed, be sure to reward the child immediately. Nothing works more than the power of reward. It can be as simple as the whole class clapping for them, or you praising them in front of the class, or giving another important task to the child. Children in this age group can rarely resist a good smile or a good word from the teacher.

7. Send a strong message about discipline:
Every child, whether in preschool or primary grade, should know that there are limits. It is up to you as a teacher to be clear on those limits. You may allow a little noise when the class is playing a game but not when you are discussing something serious.

It is important to set limits and specify them to the class right in the beginning. It helps to maintain discipline with the rest of the class even if one or two children cause trouble.

In conclusion, always remember, a child is not born difficult or rebellious. Understand the problem correctly to be able to address it in the best interest of the child.