Behavior, the outward expression of our internal state of being and in response to our environment… just let that sit with you. How many times have we seen a behavior from someone around us and instantly go to blame or shame? When someone behaves in a way that is inappropriate or in some way upsetting, have you ever stopped to think… “what is going on within that person?” or “I wonder what happened to you to cause that behavior?”

Often times children are more likely to use their bodies to express how they are feeling before they ever could or would use their words. If a child is stressed, hungry, tired, or thirsty, they are more likely to have “problem behavior” like hitting, biting, or screaming. We as adults are so quick to label children based on their behavior instead of taking a step back to dive a little deeper. How many of you have ever had a time where you acted less than becoming of yourself when you were hungry? Just like the snickers commercial shares “you’re not you when you’re hungry”.

What impacts behavior?

In short… EVERYTHING! How we are feeling- physically, mentally, and emotionally impacts the way in which we respond to our environment and those around us. Often times behavior is not just for behavior sake, but really is people (whether its adults or children) communicating with their body and actions how they are feeling or thinking on a deeper level. In my opinion, one of the best frameworks to review behavior through is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This framework explains the different levels of needs that humans experience and how they must be achieved in order to progress to the next level.

1) Let’s start at the most basic: physiological needs. When we are reviewing behavior, we first need to make sure that all basic physiological needs are met- hunger, thirst, and sleep. If any of those are off, our behavior will be modified and not in a good way.

2) Next, we look at safety and security. How are we able to predict our lives and detect patterns to expect. Both children and adults thrive within routines and structure.

3) Third, we look at how we are able to connect with the people around us. How safe do we feel around our friends, family, significant others, etc?

4) Fourth, includes our sense of respect and accomplishment for ourself. How accepted do we feel both internally and in relation to other people?

5) Lastly, is self-actualization. This is where a person realizes and is able to meet their fullest potential.

Okay so we went through this framework… now you may be asking “Faith what does this have to do with behavior?” Well, this framework gives us a level of steps that we can use to identify the true cause of someone’s behavior whether it is yourself, your child, your spouse or significant other, or a friend. Ask yourself what is the true root cause of this behavior, then go through each of the levels to see how you can help address that need or connect to someone who can. Take it level by level, step by step. As each level of the triangle is met and you advance up in the levels of needs, people are able to be who they are meant to be or have the space to explore what that means for them. For children, having all of these different needs met, allows them to reach their fullest potentials and develop in a nurturing environment. As adults, having all these needs met allows us to function as our best selves. Are there cracks in your triangle of needs that need to be addressed? Or are there cracks in the triangle of needs within the children you care for and love that you can help create solutions for?

What’s next?

• Take this information to review your own behavior and the behavior of those around you.

• Share this information with someone you think would benefit from understanding the different levels of needs that impact behavior.

• Dive a little deeper! Here is a resource from Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center for those of you who work with children in a more direct service capacity.

• Attend my upcoming webinar! Levels 2-5 of this pyramid talk about our ability to relate and be in relations with others and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves. The foundations of those skills are set within social emotional development as children. I will be hosting a webinar on April 16th at 7 PM CST/8 PM EST where I will dive into the foundations of social emotional development and tangible strategies to support overall well-being. To register fill out the form at https://alocivitas.com/our-work/ or reply with the word REGISTRATION

Are there topics you want discussed here? Share with me what you want to learn about! Make it a great week of analyzing behavior instead of just reacting to it!