What Is With These Kids? Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Behavior

Every teacher has had the moment: a student does something baffling, and it's genuinely hard to tell if it's a discipline issue, a developmental stage, or a sign something bigger is going on. This session gives teachers the judgment to tell the difference as well as the tools to respond appropriately.

What's covered:

• What counts as developmentally appropriate behavior at different ages 

• Why "appropriate" doesn't mean "okay to ignore"

• The Prevent–Redirect–Reflect–Reinforce response matrix, practiced through real scenario role-plays

• Clear signs a behavior has crossed from typical into a genuine red flag, and what to do (and not do) about it

• An equity lens on behavior management: how unconscious biases around race, size, and perceived maturity can lead teachers to unfairly expect more from some kids than others

Best fit: Full-day version for staff newer to the classroom or grade level; shorter version for established staff who want a refresher on either developmentally appropriate behavior or redirection and management.