What is Challenging Behavior? [WLOs: 1, 2] [CLO: 1]

Often times one of the greatest worries that educators have is how they will help support the needs of children with challenging behavior. In order to be most effective, the first step is understanding how to define challenging behavior. In this forum, you will look at how to define challenging behavior and some of the various theories that you can use to support your conceptualization.

To prepare for this discussion,

• Refer to the Week 1 Instructor Guidance for tips and examples that will support your success on this discussion.
• Read Chapter 1: What is Challenging Behavior?
• Watch the following videos about behavioral theories:
  • Albert Bandura Social Cognitive Theory and Vicarious LearningLinks to an external site.
  • Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological TheoryLinks to an external site.
  • 8 Stages of Development by Erik EriksonLinks to an external site.

In your initial post,

• Define different forms of challenging behavior.
• List eight to 10 words that you would use to describe challenging behavior.
• Using these words, develop your own personal definition of challenging behavior.
• Discuss how one or more of the theorists you read about would agree or disagree with your definition of challenging behavior. Make sure to cite your response with specific evidence from either the text or one of the theory resources you read using APA formatted citations as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA StyleLinks to an external site. resource.