Working With Children

The guidance that we show our children, play a big part in the kind of person each child will become. We have an important role as parents and teachers to encourage positive behavior in our children.

Demonstrate coping skills

Children imitate their parents and teachers. They will react to most situations as you do. If you yell at children, they will yell. If you hit, children will imitate this behavior and use aggression. If you ridicule children, they will use name- calling and show disrespect toward others. If you bribe children they will ask “what’s in it for me”?

If you use words to tell others you are angry, children will express their feelings without aggression. If you leave a frustrating situation to cool off, children learn to take time to think before they react. If you share things, children learn to be thoughtful toward others. If you are courteous, children learn to cooperate. Children need to have structure and they also need to know there are set boundaries and within those boundaries they are safe to learn and explore.

Prepare a good environment

You can avoid a lot of problems by making your home or classroom a comfortable place for children to learn and play. Sit at child level and take a good look around. What do you think?

• Are there tempting or dangerous items within reach that are off limits to them?
• Are children’s toys and supplies on low, open shelves where they can reach them and put them away by themselves?
• Is there enough room for several children to spread out and build with blocks, play cars, use arts and crafts, for example?

Provide activities with children’s needs in mind

Discipline problems can arise when children are bored or rushed. Try to arrange your day with this in mind:

• Adjust events and activities to children’s short, but growing attention span.
• Prepare children in advance to change from one scheduled activity to the next. Give them time to complete what they are doing, clean up, and move on to the next activity.

Keep children occupied, if they must wait, engage them in another activity such as a guessing game, exercise, or  a quick story.

Be clear about rules

Consistent and fair rules help children control their own behavior. Rules set limits that children learn to depend on. The rules should be kept simple, few in number, clear, truly necessary, and reasonable for the age that you are working with.

Help children learn problem solving skills and make good choices

When problems arise because children want something that is not allowed you can help them make more appropriate choices. This not only avoids a struggle but it also encourages children to make good decisions.

• Offer them choices that are acceptable.
• Encourage the children to make positive decisions for themselves, and others.
• Treat others as you would like to be treated.
• For older children teaching them to stop a moment and think before they act.

Call time out

Sometimes children lose control of themselves. They need a cool off period. Time out should last as long as the child feels is needed to calm down. The key is to avoid being punitive and instead to turn time out into a learning experience. Here’s how:

• Time out doesn't mean leaving the child alone, unless they want to be. After the child has calmed down the child can then rejoin the activity.
• Children should not be threatened with or afraid of time out.
• Time out should not be humiliating.

In some situations, a child may be so upset that they are unable to talk or listen. If they begin to scream and thrash around, then the child’s safety is a concern. An adult can sooth a child by holding them with just enough strength to protect them and help them restore composure. Hold a child in spirit of protection, not frustration. Don’t be afraid to trade off to another teacher when you feel overwhelmed by a child’s negative behavior. We are all here to look out for the best interest of the children. Teaching them how to act safely is very important.

Ignore inappropriate behavior

Children love attention positive or negative. Some children misbehave for the attention. When the behavior is annoying, but not harmful, ignore it. Praise positive behavior and they will see the negative does not get a response and will soon give up.

Catch good behavior

Praising is a very effective discipline method. Catch children when they are sharing, being considerate of others, or for just making good choices all day. This can be as simple as a verbal praise or perhaps a special job or picking out the next activity.

Together we can encourage children to make good choices, learn self control and gain self discipline within a safe environment.

Discipline Policy

If we as adults are to provide discipline for young children, we must master this ourselves. We need to be models who reflect maturity and respect for all people. Children develop respect for others when adults demonstrate respect for others individual needs, being consistent about applying rules, self control, and protecting each person’s right to safety and individuality.

The following are used daily in our classrooms to build positive self worth, develop self-discipline and insure safety in the classroom.

Offering acceptable choices

• Limits are clearly defined and daily routine is consistent. Children understand limits and then are offered choices that are acceptable for the classroom.

Redirecting

• When a child’s behavior is no longer acceptable for an activity his/her attention is then redirected to a new activity.
• They will be offered choices within the daily routine.
• This helps the child regain self-composure and move on with the days activities.

Positive reinforcement

• We reward positive behavior in children. Rewards can include verbal praise, physical (thumps up, smile, happy dance) or stickers. We do this to help the child gain self- confidence and feel good about themselves.
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Behavioral chart

• Each preschool classroom has a chart containing three cards, which the teacher will change daily as needed. Green =great day , Yellow=redirecting was needed often, Red = time out was given

Behavior Modification

• In some cases behavior modification charts help children learn self control. This involves a book or chart that helps track positive behaviors during the day. These behaviors are rewarded at the end of the day with something special for that child.

Time out

• When the above disciplinary techniques fail to improve behavior, time out is given. The purpose of this technique is to remove the child from the situation, for the safety of themselves and others. The child then returns when in control and exhibits acceptable behavior.

Corporal punishment is prohibited in this facility.
Corporal punishment is punishment inflicted directly on a child’s body including but not limited to: spanking, biting, shaking, slapping, hitting, twisting, squeezing, prolonged lack of motion. Corporal punishment also includes, verbally demeaning a child. This behavior will not be tolerated and is automatic grounds for terminating employment.