Guiding Behavior
Child Development Laboratory Guidance Strategies
An articulated approach to guidance in the early learning setting is necessary because young children are inexperienced at functioning in a group and are developing social interaction skills. We must have a plan to support children’s learning about living in a group.
We believe that children’s emerging social and emotional skills can result in “mistaken behavior”. We treat these behaviors as opportunities for learning, rather than misbehavior that must be punished. We use a variety of strategies to assist children through these experiences. These strategies are chosen to help children develop:
- Self-direction and control
- Interaction skills to form positive peer relationships
- Appropriate expression of feelings
Because they convey the values of respect, trust, honesty, and caring for others.
First, we establish a climate of trust through effective communication. Effective communication with young children includes respectful listening, clear messages about expectations, and authentic conversations with children about their interests.
Then we guide children’s behavior to help them be successful in engaging with materials and their peers in the classroom.
Some strategies you will see at the CDL
- Setting clear limits, verbally and through environmental design
- Anticipating mistaken behavior and proactively intervening through
- Redirection
- Coaching
- Gentle reminders
- Close physical proximity
- Helping children understand consequences of behavior
- Supporting children in conflict resolution
- Encouraging effort and accomplishment
Strategies you won’t see at the CDL
- Time-out
- Shaming
- Punishment
As with other areas of learning, parents are an important part of the team in supporting children’s learning about managing their own behavior
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