Helpful Strategies to Deal with an Attention Seeking Child Successfully
9th January 2020
As a teacher, it is not uncommon to come across situations where children in the classroom do many things just to get your attention. This attention-seeking behaviour in a child at school can frequently interrupt lesson flow, students may call out, disrupt activities, or deliberately seek reactions. While occasional attention-seeking is natural, excessive child attention-seeking behaviour can become disturbing by creating distractions and affecting the overall teaching–learning process.
What Is Attention-Seeking Behaviour in a Child?
Miranda is a three-year-old child who is smart, joyful, and very energetic. One day, she tried everything she could to gain her mother’s attention. She complained, struggled in her seat in the shopping cart, removed items from shelves, and threw bread on the floor. Her mother requested her to stop, replace the items, and tried to bargain by offering candy. When her attention shifted back to shopping, Miranda reacted by kicking her mother. Her mother looked around, embarrassed and exhausted.
This is a common example of child attention seeking behaviour, which can sometimes escalate if not addressed appropriately.
So… what’s really going on?
Before identifying this as a discipline problem, it is important to rule out underlying emotional, social, or developmental issues. Understanding why a child seeks excessive attention helps teachers respond more effectively.
Common Causes of Attention-Seeking Behaviour
Children display attention-seeking behaviour for several valid reasons. Some of the most common causes include:
• Difficulty making friends at school
• Low self-esteem or lack of confidence
• Emotional immaturity, especially in younger children
• Lack of adequate attention at home or school
• Feelings of loneliness or being left out
• Feeling ignored due to parents being busy or stressed
• Past emotional experiences or trauma
• Lack of a sense of belonging
In many cases, negative attention-seeking behavior in children is simply a way of communicating unmet emotional or social needs.
How to Identify Attention-Seeking Behaviour in Children
Identifying attention-seeking behaviour early can help prevent it from becoming disruptive. Common signs include:
• Pretending to be ill or injured
• Creating unnecessary drama
• Provoking peers or causing harm
• Frequently creating problems in class
• Playing the victim to gain sympathy
• Wanting constant validation or responses
• Always trying to be the centre of attention
• Performing actions mainly to get reactions
If such behaviours continue or worsen, seeking professional support may be necessary.
Effective Strategies to Deal with Attention-Seeking Behaviour
Knowing how to deal with an attention seeking child in the classroom requires patience, consistency, and structured strategies.
Provide Structured Choices
To help an attention-seeking child, offer choices whenever possible. If a task feels difficult or unattractive, make it more achievable by giving options. Scheduling dedicated one-on-one time reassures the child that attention will be given appropriately. This approach is often effective when learning how to deal with an attention seeking child in a positive way.
Give Positive Attention
Providing positive attention builds confidence and self-assurance. Encourage children to talk about their work and praise effort rather than outcomes. When children receive attention for positive behaviour, their need to act out decreases.
Use Trial and Error with Consistency
Responding consistently with warmth, interest, and support helps children develop healthier social behaviours. Over time, they learn that positive actions lead to meaningful engagement.
Teach Appropriate Social Interactions
Children may not naturally understand appropriate ways to express emotions. Teaching communication skills, emotional regulation, and empathy through role-play or guided discussions helps them interact more appropriately with peers and teachers.
Ignore Minor Negative Behaviour
Ignoring non-harmful disruptive behaviour while reinforcing positive actions can be effective. Over time, children learn that negative attention seeking behavior in children does not bring rewards, while positive behaviour does.
Do’s and Don’ts for Teachers
Do’s
• Create and maintain clear classroom rules
• Give attention carefully and intentionally
• Hold students accountable for inappropriate behaviour
• Assign responsibilities and leadership roles
• Praise progress and effort
• Acknowledge individual needs
Don’ts
• Don’t shout or humiliate students
• Don’t make children feel guilty
• Don’t manipulate them emotionally
• Don’t ignore them completely
• Don’t make them feel left out
• Don’t compare them with others
Balanced behaviour management is essential when learning how to manage a school successfully, as it directly affects classroom culture and student well-being.
How Much Attention Is Enough for an Attention-Seeking Child?
The amount of attention required depends on a child’s personality, behaviour patterns, and daily routines. Programs like Teacher training courses on special educational needs help educators understand how to support attention-seeking students effectively.
Every attention-seeking child displays unique characteristics, and teachers must identify and support them accordingly. With the right strategies, it is possible to guide these children positively while ensuring that the overall teaching–learning process remains effective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is attention-seeking behaviour in children at school?
It refers to actions children use to gain adult attention, often by interrupting lessons or displaying disruptive behaviour.
2. Why do children show attention-seeking behaviour?
Children may seek attention due to emotional needs, lack of confidence, social difficulties, or feeling ignored at home or school.
3. How can teachers deal with attention-seeking behaviour in the classroom?
Teachers can manage it by offering positive attention, setting clear boundaries, teaching social skills, and ignoring minor negative behaviours.
4. Is attention-seeking behaviour always negative?
No. It often signals unmet emotional or social needs and can be redirected into positive behaviour with the right support.
5. When should teachers seek professional help?
If the behaviour is persistent, harmful, or affects the child’s well-being, consulting a counsellor or specialist is recommended.
6. Can attention-seeking behaviour affect the whole class?
Yes. If unmanaged, it can disrupt learning and classroom dynamics, making early intervention important.
7. How much attention should an attention-seeking child receive?
The amount varies by child, but structured and intentional attention is more effective than constant reactions.
8. Do behaviour-management strategies help schools succeed overall?
Yes. Consistent behaviour management contributes to a positive school culture and supports effective school management.
