Problem behavior such as stubbornness or refusal to join in activities is one way a child chooses not to cooperate. Displaying a disrespectful attitude and talking rudely are other ways of acting out. Aggressive and defiant actions like throwing things and yelling can also indicate a serious need for acknowledgement by the disrupting child. These behaviors affect other children in the school environment and can also isolate the uncooperative student from his or her peers.
While some misbehavior is only mildly disruptive in school, other types can be signs of more complex issues that may need professional attention. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may have trouble controlling impulses and can blurt out remarks in class or refuse to stay seated. Conduct Disorder (CD) can cause disobedient and violent behaviors. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by willful and hostile behavior toward authority figures. These are serious conditions and must only be diagnosed by a health care professional.
Some reasons for childhood misbehavior can be attributed to something as simple as a needing a nutritious breakfast, writes Dr. William Sears in the online magazine "Parenting." A balance of carbohydrates and protein have been found to steady blood sugar and assist in stabilizing mood. A healthy mid-morning snack can also help keep a child from experiencing the rise and fall of blood sugar and the resulting fluctuations in behavior. A harder-to-remedy cause of misbehavior in children could also be a sign of stress, child trauma consultant Barbara E. Oehlberg told the Education World website. According to Oehlberg, children are growing up with more stress and uncertainty and if there is no other outlet or treatment for their anxiety, they tend to misbehave.
Children who exhibit misbehavior in school usually do so because it gives them some kind of reward. A student who craves acknowledgement from other children may act out to receive laughter or approval for distracting the class from work. For some children, even a negative reaction, such as a reprimand or punishment from the teacher, can satisfy a need for attention, however harsh. Considerations about the teacher's characteristics, home environment, peer relationships and family attitude about school should all be taken into account when attempting to uncover the source of a child's uncooperative behavior.
Some children, such as those diagnosed with ADHD, have a heightened need for stimulation and may cause disruptions in school to relieve boredom or create excitement. Other children who act out may react negatively to overstimulation, such as excessive noise, and may become irritable. Reaction to stressful situations can cause some children to act up in order to escape an environment they find troubling. When a child misbehaves and a teacher removes her from the class, she has succeeded in escaping the classroom that is causing her stress. Particular attention should also be paid to the environments in which the child does not misbehave. Clues about what works for children can be as helpful as diagnosing what does not work for a student in a school situation.