Developmentally Appropriate Behavior Guidance in Early Childhood Settings
A major focus in early childhood settings is teaching children to control their impulses so they are ready to enter the first grade. Teachers coaching children on manners, how to follow rules and how to get along with others, need to set developmentally appropriate goals because what is appropriate for school-aged children is not achievable for most preschool children. By gently coaching children on appropriate behavior, discussing problems openly with them and making learning fun, early childhood educators build self-confidence, as well as discipline, in their students.
Instructions
Set guidelines, rather than rules. Rules create confusion for preschool children, who are not yet developmentally mature enough to understand that a rule applying in one setting may not apply in another. Because most rules tell children what they cannot do, using rules with preschool children begins their learning experience in a punitive light, according to early childhood education expert Dan Gartrell, emeritus professor in this field at Bemidji State University in Minnesota. Use guidelines, such as, "Be friendly to others," to coach children. Offer preschoolers instructions on how to behave without an implicit threat of punishment to make learning easier. Introduce developmentally appropriate consequences for misbehavior. The goal of corrective action with preschool children should be to teach children the behavior desired, rather than punishing them for misbehaving. If a preschool child is hitting a peer, for example, teach him to use words to express his feelings, rather than simply giving him a timeout. Use natural consequences, such as not having any more snack to eat later if he chooses to eat the entire day̵7;s snacks all at once. Have classroom meetings and discussions with preschoolers, soliciting their help on how to solve problems. Involving children in their own corrective actions builds self-confidence and makes learning fun, according to Gartrell. Children who are talking in line, for example, may come up with the creative solution of asking the teacher to instruct them to hold hands with each other in places where they have to be quiet, to help them remember. Use positive reinforcement. Recognize a child who is struggling to control his impulses every time he restrains himself. Use guidelines, such as those published by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, by providing positive feedback to reinforce pro-social, productive behaviors while ignoring disruptive behavior. Use preschoolers̵7; innate tendencies to seek adult approval to your benefit when teaching them the rules. Be clear and consistent. Preschoolers benefit from structure, routine and consistency, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Explain clearly what you mean and model appropriate behavior yourself. Even if you are tired or it's easier not to enforce a rule, being inconsistent confuses a preschooler and isn't conducive to her overall learning experience.
