Aggression and Violence, Impediments to Precision Learning
Most learning tasks are built on the two key subjects of reading and
math. In both of these subjects, there are specific rules that must
be mastered just to develop the preliminary skills required for precision
learning in math and reading. These same skills are necessary for success
in all other academic subjects.
Parental stress, aggression, and violence dramatically affect a child’s
precision learning. Children who are anxious, depressed, or preoccupied
with their own safety (or the safety of other family members) tend
to have trouble concentrating, remembering, or even following simple
instructions. Such children often lack basic trust and are prone to
mirror their parents’ behavior.
Grade Schools, Probation Departments, Family law courts and Children services departments are beginning to respond to the epidemic of family violence by recommending, ordering, and providing anger management classes for children and their parents in at-risk families. The cost in terms of resources, lives, and social entitlements are beginning to register in the political arena.
Some Examples
The Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services under court
order, has trained most of its social work staff to offer anger management
classes to parents and teens. The Los Angeles County Department of
Mental Health has had its Training Division sponsor anger management
facilitator certification for its professional staff and contract agencies,
in order to assure the inclusion of anger management classes for its
catchments areas. The Dallas County Probation Department in Texas is
currently conducting a study in which Adult Probationers who have a
history of aggressive behavior are provided with a ten-session course
in anger management, in order to teach these defendants skills in managing
stress, anger and improving empathy and communication.
Prevention is far less expensive and more affective in teaching children
and adult’s skills in recognizing and managing anger and stress.
Therefore, school districts in Florida, Texas and California are implementing
anger management classes into their regular response to aggressive
behavior in children. Research at the University of South Florida has
demonstrated that all children gain when anger management is offered
in a single class in a school.
For a list of School Districts using the Anderson & Anderson anger management curriculum, click here: www.andersonservices.com.