interview question - how to calm a upset child

kirstycobie

hiya,

ok, so i am just about sorted for my interview.

does anyone know the professional way of calming a upset child, i know how to calm my own but not in the professional manner.

any help gratefully received.

thanks

Gavin83

Try Morphine.

bsms1147

Try smacking them. Should make them quiet.

pioneer22

Depends what setting, I am assuming a classroom or something like that.

Anyway talk to them ask whats wrong if they have hurt themselves take them to first aid. If someone has hurt them talk to them tell them they wont get in trouble listen to them. Perhaps some body contact hand on shoulder or something like that. Take them somewhere quiet away from the other children etc

PlymouthMaid

Thinking about this now as realise that despite teacher training/Child protection etc. no actual guidelines seem to have ever been issued to me. As above, I think, let them talk it out of they want. Let them sit quietly away from the others if they wish perhaps with a teaching assistant, have a walk around the playground with them. Once they have calmed down see if they are ready to go back to the group.

quidsy

Get down to their level and talk calmly

kirstycobie

hi, thanks for the replies, yes thats what i thought but just wanted to double check.

the interview is for a school nurse assistant, so would be doing height, weight, hearing and vision tests, and i can imagine some of the kids would be anxious about this and may get upset, just triing to make sure i have an answer for every possible question they might ask at the interview.

pioneer22

kirstycobie wrote: »

hi, thanks for the replies, yes thats what i thought but just wanted to double check.

the interview is for a school nurse assistant, so would be doing height, weight, hearing and vision tests, and i can imagine some of the kids would be anxious about this and may get upset, just triing to make sure i have an answer for every possible question they might ask at the interview.

Like your previous post I assume they will ask about safeguarding/child protection. Read up fully on that

ViolaLass

Keep the door open or have another adult in the room (standard Child Protection procedure at my school anyway).

carlislelass

We were told no physical contact

hieveryone

Get into a conversation with them - what's your favourite tv show, game on the iPad, etc.... 'oh wow my little girl/boy really likes that too...' etc etc. Even if it's totally made up. Clue up on popular toys/games that are around to start a conversation. If it's a little girl 'oh I like your headband, your shoes etc etc'. Basically distraction.

Once you've got some attention and calmed down, ask the child what it is they are actually scared of and find a way to work around it. Make the tests into a game. 'We want to see what you weigh, will I show you what I weigh first?' etc.

Good luck in your interview.