COURSE:

Early Childhood Education II

UNIT C

Working With Special

Groups of Children and Child
Care Issues

ESSENTIAL
STANDARD:

6.00

B2

11%

Understand strategies for handling guidance issues.

OBJECTIVE:

6.02

B2

7%

Infer response strategies for behavior problems.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
What are some general guides for responding to problem behaviors?
What response strategies should be used for specific behavior problems?
UNPACKED CONTENT
General Guides for Responding to Inappropriate Behaviors
Ignore minor misbehaviors
Offer choices
Coach appropriate behaviors
Distract and redirect
Response Strategies for Specific Behavior Problems
Behavior Problems
Negativism

Stealing

Anger

Biting

Tattling

Exploring the body

Thumb-sucking

Response Strategies

Accept negative behaviors except those that violate health and safety rules
Communicate in words and tone that you expect cooperation
Give the child time; avoid hurrying him/her
Remember that preschoolers do not understand mine and yours
Avoid lecturing or asking why the child took something
Make the child return what was taken
Set a good example by respecting others property rights
Minimize opportunities for stealing
Consider a policy that toys may not be brought from home
Discourage hurting behaviors
Stop young children immediately who try to hit one another
Hold the childs hand while you say why you are doing so
Ignore outbursts if there is no threat to anyones safety
Redirect anger through activities such as finger-painting
Provide noise outlets (drums, music) to relieve strong feelings
Keep playtime simple for children who bite
Limit the number of children who play with those who bite or isolate biters
Respond quickly and use comments to prevent biting
Never allow children to bite back
Ignore tattling whenever possible
Encourage tattlers to tell other children what they need to say
Provide daily one-on-one time for listening
Do not shame children; guide them away from public displays
Firmly tell child in private that behavior is inappropriate
Give the child a pacifier

Fear

Avoid pulling the thumb out of the mouth abruptly; accept and ignore it
Understand childrens fears and take steps to help them be less afraid
Ignore negative words and actions when they are the result of fear