Guiding and Caring
Most of the time our “family” has lots of fun, adventure an excitement. That means smiles and laughter from everyone – children, parents and early childhood educators (staff). We realize that sometimes children and adults have events in their lives that affect general moods and attitudes. Dealing effectively with behavior management is a prime responsibility of a Kidz In The Rockies caregiver.
The goal of behavior management is:
- To enhance children’s self esteem by helping them recognize they are responsible for their own life experiences.
- To encourage each child to develop self-control and self-discipline. Both of these traits are needed to have success in life.
The role of the staff is to teach appropriate behavior not to punish misbehavior.
One of the most important steps in behavior management happens before the inappropriate behavior occurs.
Steps staff take in Guiding Behavior
We establish clear and realistic expectations, with input from the children when appropriate.- We establish clear and realistic boundaries, with input from the children when appropriate.
- We establish natural and logical consequences, with input from the children when appropriate. For example, if a child wrecks another child’s creation, the child will be asked how he can help to make the other child feel better and encouraged to follow through. We will teach infants and toddlers about soft touches by taking the child’s hand and showing them what a soft touch feels like. When children hurt other children they will be encouraged to be part of the ‘healing’ process, i.e. holding a cold clothe on the injured child.
- We use redirection as a means of curtailing inappropriate behavior and will use time out only as our last option. Time out will be used as an opportunity to sit with the child and talk about the behavior in question and how we can help the child to change the behavior. In the case of infants and toddlers, where redirection is not working, early childhood educators (staff) will take that child as a ‘buddy’ staying close to him / her so that they may intervene when necessary.
- We work with the children to curtail inappropriate behavior, and also enhance the child’s self esteem and problem solving skills through the process. Once the inappropriate behavior has been identified, early childhood educators (staff) will work with the child to identify why the action was inappropriate and what other options the child may have had and will have in the future.
- We seek out positive behavior and reinforce this as much as possible through adulation and praise.
- We work closely with parents when necessary to help children develop self-control and their own behavior management skills. This may include inviting parents in to the center to discuss and brain storm strategies specific to their child.