123. How To Manage Challenging Classroom Behaviours

Today we welcome back occupational therapist, educator advocate, and all-round legend Dave Jereb to dive deep into understanding and responding to challenging classroom behaviours.

Dave shares practical, teacher-friendly strategies to better connect with students, support regulation, and ultimately create more inclusive and calm classrooms. From quick connection anchors to brain-based regulation tools, Dave reminds us that meaningful change often starts with the simplest actions.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why connection changes the brain—and what happens in just 10 seconds
• Reframing “challenging behaviour” and what’s really going on beneath the surface
• A breakdown of Dave’s ABCIDEAS model for understanding student needs holistically
• Practical co-regulation tools teachers can implement immediately
• Why supporting the adults who support the kids is essential for long-term success
• The “Connected Caregiver Model” and what it looks like in action
• Using rhythm, breath, and music as tools for regulation and attention
• Making lessons meaningful by tapping into student interests

“Everything is downstream from regulation and connection.” – Dave Jereb

Key Takeaways:

• Connection comes first: A simple 10-second moment of eye-level, intentional connection can dramatically impact behaviour and learning readiness.
• Environment matters: You don’t need to “fix the child”—adjusting the activity or environment is often the fastest way to success.
• Behaviours are communication: Looking at what’s behind attention-seeking, oppositional, or sensitive behaviours helps us support rather than react.
• Support the supporters: Dave champions the idea that when we support teachers and caregivers, everyone wins.

Whether you're just kicking off the school year in Australia or you're mid-term elsewhere in the world, this episode is packed with real-life examples, refreshing reframes, and game-changing strategies you can try today, especially with those students who can make or break the energy of your day.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Check out Dave’s Book: Challenging the Story
• Dave’s Online Course: Challenging the Story of Behaviour
• Other courses offered by Move About OT linked here
• Connect with Dave on Instagram
• Say G’Day on Spotify (Dave’s sister Genevieve Jereb) 
• Episode 19 - Our first interview with Dave Jereb

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY  | AMAZON

About Today’s Guest: Dave Jereb is a paediatric occupational therapist, author, and co-founder of MoveAbout Therapy Services. With over 20 years of experience, Dave is passionate about helping families and professionals rethink how we understand and respond to challenging behaviours. Dave