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Behaviour problems in the classroom : a model for teachers to assist learners with unmet emotional needs

Tbis study has as primary objective the development of an appropriate model to assist
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teachers, in South Africa, to be able to understand and assist learners with behaviour
problems. The need for the study has its genesis within the current difficulties teachers
experience in dealing with behaviour problems in the classroom and the fact that increasing
numbers of children are involved. A key facet of the research is its accent on the unmet
emotional needs of learners that function as a behavioural determinant. The study is
analytical descriptive in nature and as such is based on two fundamental dimensions:- to
acquire a sound theoretical understanding of the concepts, causative 'factors and underlying
behaviour problems and the most appropriate means to deal therewith and substantiating
the insights acquired by means of interviews with teachers, school principals, and other
significant role players. An earnest attempt was made to analyse behaviour problems in
terms of the various theoretical frameworks presented within contemporary literature. The
ecological systems model was found to be the most appropriate for the development of the
. referenced model. This stands in sharp contrast to the traditional medical model which in
many instances still forms the basis of current theory and practice.
Learners with emotional problems experience behaviour problems which serve as barriers
to effective learning. Little attention however, has been attributed to putting appropriate
systems in place to assist these learners. A key consideration embodied within the new
Education Policy (NCS DOCUMENT 1997:1 0) is the issue of meeting the needs of all
learners so that they are able to actualise their potential - this includes their emotional
needs. The findings of this study need to be seen within the light of meeting this objective.
In order to address the unmet emotional needs of learner, teachers must attend to the
cognitive mind maps which embody internalized feelings and cognition. A model for
understanding the cognitive maps has been developed as part of this study and serves as
introduction to the model developed to assist learners wi~h behaviour problems.
The study provides a new perspective directed at understanding instead of managing
behaviour problems. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Special Needs Education)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/17854
Date11 1900
CreatorsWeeks, Franscina Hester
ContributorsPrinsloo, E.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format1 online resource (vii, 550 leaves)

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