The Calm Classroom Weekly

Oct 14, 2026

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Subject: What Do You Say When a Child Is Losing Control?

Even after 30 years of teaching, today I stumbled.

I was trying to redirect a child who was disrupting the classroom, and it didn't work.

I tried to get the child to stop what they were doing and make a better choice.

But the more I talked, the more frustrated the child became.

And I realized something:

Sometimes, the child isn't ready to hear us.

When a child is becoming overwhelmed or losing control, more words don't necessarily help.

We can explain.

We can reason.

We can repeat ourselves.

But if the child's emotions are already running high, they may not be able to process everything we're saying.

Then I Did This

I stopped talking.

I lowered my voice.

I kept my words simple.

That small pause made a difference.

Try This This Week

The next time a child is losing control, notice your own response.

Are you talking more?

Giving more directions?

Repeating yourself?

Try pausing.

Say less. Slow down. Give the child a moment.

Because sometimes, before we can teach a child what to do differently, we have to help them get back to a place where they're ready to learn.

Want More Calm Classroom Strategies?

If you're looking for practical strategies you can use right away, I've created a free Calm Classroom Guide to help you create a calmer, more cooperative classroom.

Get the Free Calm Classroom Guide

Inside the guide, you'll find practical strategies to help you respond to challenging moments and prevent them from escalating.

It's free—grab your copy here.

Cheering you on,

Luann

The Calm Classroom Weekly

Subject: What Do You Say When a Child Is Losing Control? Even after 30 years of teaching, today I stumbled. I was trying to redirect a child who was disrupting the classroom, and it didn't work. I tried to get the child to stop what they were doing and make a better choice. But the more I talked, the more frustrated the child became. And I realized something: Sometimes, the child isn't ready to...

The Calm Classroom Weekly

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