Identification and Management of Emotionally and Behaviorally Disturbed School Aged Children in Nigeria: Implications for Teachers

Abstract

The knowledge of emotional and behavioral disturbed problems among the school aged children, helps teachers and educational administrators in planning appropriate educational and recreational programmes that better meet the children needs. It is necessary that those who are involved in the education of children with Emotional and Behavioural Disorders (EBDs) especially teachers who interact closely with these groups of children, must at least have basic understanding of the characteristics and educational challenges confronting them. Children with emotional and behavioural problems exhibit a wide range of characteristics and because such children may internalize their problems, there is need for teachers to recognize and effectively manage them. This paper examines the identification and management of the children with EBD, historical overview of emotional and behavioural problems in the school system, EBD in Nigeria, problems associated with the identification of EBDs, the nature and causes of emotional and behavioural problems and outlines its implication for Nigerian teachers. The paper also proffer suggestions on how best to identify and manage such children in the Nigerian school system and concludes that teachers need to have an in-depth grasp of the situation in order to succeed effectively with such children.